Visits

Bernard Kouchner, the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, traveled to Israel and the Palestinian Territories on February 16-17. It was his third trip since his appointment.

The Annapolis Conference last November revived the hope for peace in the Mideast. The Paris Conference in December gave it another boost. During his visit, the minister reminded all his interlocutors of France’s total commitment to the process under way. On the path of peace, on which painful compromises must be made, France-without wishing to interfere in the negotiations-is prepared to provide all the support needed to encourage all the parties to move forward.

It is crucial today to translate this hope for peace into facts and to create a groundswell of trust that will elicit popular support for the process under way. To do so, concrete advances are needed on the ground.

In Israel, Mr. Kouchner was received by President Shimon Peres. He met with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, with his counterpart Tzipi Livni, and with leading Israeli officials, notably Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Deputy Prime Minister Chaim Ramon and opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu.

In the Palestinian Territories, the minister was received by the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas. A meeting with Prime Minister Salam Fayyad will provide an opportunity to follow up on the Paris Conference. Meetings are also planned with international humanitarian organizations. A visit to the Hospital of the Holy Family in Bethlehem is also scheduled.