06/10/2009 (Agence Europe) - The future permanent president of the European Council should “have large ears to hear the signals coming from the capitals and bring them all together in compromise solutions”, said Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker in The Financial Times Deutschland of 5 October. He added that the president should also have European antecedents “so that it is not a surprise when he becomes the leading voice of Europe”. According to the German daily, Juncker is opposed to the candidature of Tony Blair, who is among the possible applicants for the post provided for in the Lisbon Treaty. In the meantime, the Irish government is ready to support the former British prime minister. Tony Blair is respected and admired in Ireland for his role in the peace process in Northern Ireland, said Prime Minister Brian Cowen in an interview with Sky News. “If he's a candidate, you can take it that we'd be very supportive”, he said. On Tuesday 6 October, speaking on behalf of Italy, Foreign Minister Franco Frattini also expressed support for Mr Blair's possible candidature. (H.B./transl.jl)