Cowen to meet Sharon in Tel Aviv

Foreign Affairs Minister Brian Cowen is due to meet Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in Tel Aviv later today in his role as president of the European Council of Foreign Ministers.

The two men will discuss the stalled Middle East peace process. Mr Cowen is then due to travel to Egypt for further talks on the matter.

Speaking before departing on the three-day trip, the minister said the so-called Geneva Initiative would be the focus of discussions.

Mr Cowen welcomed the initiative, saying: “It demonstrates the nature of the compromise that people need to contemplate to get a solution."