Felipe González is to lead an EU advisory committee which will consists of prestigious personalities from the academic world and politics.

The main role of the group is to draw up a set of guidelines which will guarantee the ‘modernization of the European model’. It also has the responsibility of answering the demands of EU citizens and assuring continued economic progress, social stability, development and sustainability and the struggle against climate change.

González was nominated by both France and Germany and was the person who received the most support by other EU member to take on this role. Other names in the hat were Freiberga, the ex Chancellor of Austria and Pat Cox, the ex President of the European parliament.

The Committee has also been given the task of compiling a report predicting what Europe will be like in 2020 which must be ready by June 2010.