French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner is scheduled to arrive on Friday for a two-day visit to Israel and the Palestinian Authority. French officials say Kouchner is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and leaders of the major Israeli political parties.

He is also scheduled to meet with PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas. According to a statement from the French foreign ministry, "This will be an opportunity to see how the European Union can help the United States further the peace process."