PARIS, May 17: Although no formal announcement has yet been made, French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin is fully expected to maintain his plans to meet Palestinian President Yasser Arafat during Mr de Villepin’s visit to the Middle East.

When the French foreign ministry’s official spokesman was queried at his daily press brieing as to whether Mr de Villepin would maintain his plans to meet Mr Arafat in spite of pressure brought to bear by the United States and Israel, all that the spokesman would state was that “I have no comment in particular to make in the matter.”

“The preparation of Mr de Villepin’s trip is proceeding normally. With regard to Mr Arafat, there exists a common European position, which naturally is also ours. Please be assured it hasn’t changed.”