Blair linked to possible EU presidency bid

BRUSSELS, Nov. 10 (UPI) -- Tony Blair has been linked to a possible bid for the European Union presidency, but the former British prime minister is staying tight-lipped on the subject.

While French President Nicolas Sarkozy has suggested it would be a "smart move" for Blair to seek the EU presidency, the former British official would only hint at his intentions during a recent speech at the National University of Singapore, The Telegraph said Saturday.

"In relation to (the) question about the presidency of the European Union we will move swiftly on," Blair said during his appearance Friday. "It's a pity, but that's the way it is. A shortage of time you know!"

Other notable political names already tied to the high-profile position, which should be set by June 2009, include Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen and former Polish president Aleksander Kwasniewski.

The Telegraph said Blair's speech came with mixed reviews, with some attendees praising his open manner, while Singapore's media criticized him for the high fees typically associated with his public appearances.