Brussels  - Former Polish president Lech Walesa and Mario Monti, a former European commissioner from Italy, are to join a European Union "reflection group" tasked with discussing the bloc's long-term future, diplomats in Brussels said Tuesday.

The creation of such a group was first proposed by French President Nicolas Sarkozy and later endorsed by EU leaders at their last December summit.

Headed by former Spanish premier Felipe Gonzalez, it is to look at the major challenges facing the EU over the next two decades.

These include the union's economic and social model, sustainable development, migration, global stability, climate change, and the fight against international crime and terrorism.

Other notable European personalities due to contribute to the discussions include Richard Lambert of Britain, a former editor of the Financial Times newspaper, and Stuttgart mayor Wolfgang Schuster.

Gonzalez's will have two deputies: former Latvian president Vaira Vike-Freiberga and the former chief executive officer of Finnish electronics giant Nokia, Jorma Ollila.

The full composition of the 12-member group will be approved by EU leaders meeting in Brussels on Wednesday and Thursday.

It is due to present its findings to EU leaders during the first half of 2010. (dpa)