Sarkozy: 'I have always been and will always be a friend of Israel'

      French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrived on Sunday for a three-day visit, and will meet the next day with the parents of kidnapped IDF Cpl. Gilad Schalit, Noam and Aviva. Gilad Schalit also has French citizenship. "I have always been and will always be a friend of Israel," Sarkozy said at a welcoming ceremony at the airport. He quickly turned his attention to the staggering peace efforts between Israel and the Palestinians. "I believe that the path to peace lies there before us, that the path to peace is not blocked. I have come to bring my support and that of France and the European Union, your partners in the negotiations," he said. "An agreement is possible, tomorrow, and that agreement would allow the two peoples to live side-by-side in peace and security." Sarkozy was welcomed with a red-carpet reception, and President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert eagerly awaited him along with a full army band and honor guard. "France has left an imprint on Israel's revival, a revival you recently referred to as 'one of the most significant events in the 20th century,"' Peres said. "France's contribution to the foundation of the state of Israel did not stem from an opportunistic sentiment, but was sparked by the noblest of human values." France has promised Israel that it will put the brakes on its rapprochement with Syria until Damascus shows willing to distance itself from the axis of extremists, in particular Iran. That is the message French President Nicolas Sarkozy was to bring Prime Minister Ehud Olmert at their meeting on Sunday in Jerusalem, diplomatic sources in Israel and France said. (20,24)