Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi was among European leaders treated to a sumptuous lunch by the French President that cost more than €5,000 per head, a damning report has revealed.

Nicolas Sarkozy is under fire as the French Court of Auditors published a damning report on the costs of France's six-month French Presidency of the EU last year.

Considered to be one of the most ostentatious six-month rotating presidencies of the EU, the report shows the French taxpayer had to fork out a total of €171 million, or almost €1 million a day to sustain the French Presidency.

The costs included ceremonies, concerts, cultural events and official dinners including nine different summits at head of state level, against the usual two held by other presidencies.

However, the biggest criticism aimed at Mr Sarkozy seems to be directed at the organisation of a summit launching the Mediterranean Union - the brainchild of the French President. A total of 43 Heads of State, including the Maltese Prime Minister, were invited to Paris's Grand Palais and offered a lunch costing more than €5,000 per head.

According to the French Court of Auditors, the Med Union summit alone cost French taxpayers €17 million, including more than €250,000 for a purpose-made shower installed at the summit's venue exclusively for Mr Sarkozy.

On its part, the Elysée Palace denied the accusations of "indecent spending" and said the allocated budget for the French Presidency was not even all utilised.

The costs of Mr Sarkozy's shower were also played down since, according to the French government, these costs also included the refurbishment of six toilets which were used by the heads of state.

Meanwhile, a year after its launch, the Med Union is at a standstill.

A ministerial summit which had to be held next month in Turkey has been postponed indefinitely following a rift between Egypt and Israel.