Prodi forms group to discuss role of religion in European

The President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, has set up a 'Reflection Group' to identify the spiritual, religious and cultural dimensions that Europe will rely on for its future unity.

As the European Convention prepares up to present its draft Constitution, the need to identify the values around which Europe can build its political unity has become a burning issue, said a Commission statement in Brussels today.

'The Reflection Group on the Spiritual and Cultural Dimension of Europe' will meet in Brussels Wednesday to discuss the role played by religion in the European integration process.

Set up by Prodi in late 2002, the Reflection Group's members include leading European intellectuals and politicians.