Presidents Nicolas Sarkozy of France and Hosni Mubarak of Egypt have discussed how they can work together to promote peace between the Israelis and Palestinians.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy urged the disparate and conflicted countries around the Mediterranean Sea today to make peace as European rivals did in the 20th century as he launched an unprecedented Union for the Mediterranean.

The Taoiseach is travelling to Paris today for a summit to formally launch the Union for the Mediterranean.