(VOVworld) – Cuban President Raul Castro is on a 2-day official state visit to France, the first by a Cuban head of state since 1995. The visit signals improving relations between the two countries and between Cuba and other major world powers following the re-establishment of Cuba-US diplomatic ties in 2015.
President Castro’s visit, which builds on President Francois Hollande’s Cuba visit last May, is intended to improve ties with France and the West.
Promoting bilateral economic cooperation
President Castro will meet with President Hollande and with a number of other senior officials. They will discuss ways to broaden and diversify relations in: politics, economics, trade, finance, investment, and culture. The two countries will sign 10 economic contracts, an economic roadmap, and a number of cooperative agreements in transport, tourism, and trade.
Two-way trade has been a modest 388 million USD a year. President Hollande said these agreements will help French businesses access the vast Latin American market.
President Hollande’s personal envoy to Cuba Jean-Pierre Bel said prior to the visit that France-Cuba relations are the best they’ve ever been with increasing mutual trust and respect. He said France has always opposed the EU embargo against Cuba. France has been one of Cuba’s leading economic partners but their two-way trade has fallen short of its potential. France has been lobbying for writing off 8.5 billion USD in Cuban debt in the Paris Club, which will enable Cuba to access international financial markets. France has played a leading role in improving relations between Cuba and Europe.
Opening a new chapter in bilateral ties
Since the re-establishment of diplomatic ties between the US and Cuba, France has been promoting EU relations with Cuba for economic and trade benefits. France repeatedly expressed support for its ally, the US, reaching out to Cuba. France is now competing with the US for economic and trade ties with Cuba. President Hollande was the first Western leader to visit Cuba in many decades. His entourage, which included 30 business leaders, evidenced France’s wish to promote ties with Cuba and increase the presence of French companies there.
Analysts say President Castro’s visit aims to consolidate Cuba’s image in the world arena and promote economic, trade, and investment cooperation to spur national growth and improve people’s living conditions. Cuba is in dire need of public facilities and logistical services like water supply and public transportation, which are France’s strengths.