The Quartet of peacemakers: the US, EU, UN and Russia

Could this be the first EU president? Many are speculating on Tony Blair's next move as the EU prepares to create a prestigious new title of "President of the European Council" in its next treaty.



According to Mark Mardell's Euroblog, the presidency couldn't happen for another two years even if agreed by end of EU Summit on Saturday.

June 18, 2007 BBC report excerpt:

"... Europe does look more like what Tony Blair said it should be, with Angela Merkel in power in Berlin and Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris. Now there are pro-American and reform-minded leaders in Paris and Berlin as
well as London.

So, despite the mutterings about Blair's "betrayals", he will surely be missed in Europe.

The proof is that as the EU prepares to create a prestigious new title of "President of the European Council" in its next treaty, it is looking around for a former European head of government who could be a global spokesman for all 27 EU government heads, and one big name has not yet been ruled out.

That name is Tony Blair."

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The Quartet of peacemakers: US, EU, UN and Russia

June 20, 2007 AP report via knbc - excerpt:

James Wolfensohn, a former president of the World Bank, stepped down in April as international Mideast envoy for the Quartet of peacemakers - the United States, European Union, United Nations and Russia. The position envisioned for Blair was said to be enhanced in contrast to Wolfensohn's role.

Members of the Quartet may meet in Paris next week, although Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has a scheduling conflict and the meeting could be postponed.

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Appreciation and thanks



Photo: Mr Blair was made an honorary paramount chief in Sierra Leone, May 2007. (AP via BBC)



Photo: British helicopters prepare to move ashore at Aberdeen beach in the north-west of the Sierra Leone capital of Freetown, 2000. (AFP/Bob Bishop/Yahoo May 29 2007)