Blair to meet EU officials ahead of Mideast talks

New Middle East peace envoy Tony Blair is scheduled to hold talks with European Union officials Tuesday amid renewed international efforts revive Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking. EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana announced he would fly to the region immediately after his lunch with Blair. On Solana's trip to the region, he will hold talks with Palestinian Authority Chairman Abbas and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Later, he plans to travel to Portugal for a meeting of senior officials from the EU, United Nations, Russia and United States - the powers that make up the Quartet of would-be Middle East peacemakers.