Cuban FM visits France over relations

Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez (R) arrives ay the Elysee Palace for a meeting with French President Francois Hollande (L) in Paris, April 21, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

PARIS - Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla met with high officials of France on the first leg of his European tour, following the improvement of relations between the United States and Cuba earlier this month.

French President Francois Hollande welcomed Rodriguez Parrilla on Tuesday morning in his presidential office the Elysee, before he met with French Finance Minister Michel Sapin, his French counterpart Laurent Fabius, and French Prime Minister Manuel Valls.

"During my visit, we both wished to reinforce the relations between our two countries, and today, it is happening," said French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, during a joint press conference after meeting with his Cuban counterpart.

Fabius visited Cuba on April 12, the first French foreign minister to visit Cuba in more than 30 years.

The French minister mentioned the preparation of the "historic" visit by Francois Hollande to Cuba in May.

"Cuba is on track to be fully reinstated into the international society after the historic meeting between Castro and Obama," said Fabius, adding that "France has consistently opposed the US embargo and has always worked towards the withdrawal of Cuba from the US list of states sponsoring terrorism".

As for Cuba's participation in the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) held in Paris this December, Fabius said that "Cuba can and will play a positive role to make the COP21 a success."

"Bilateral relations with France are a real priority for Cuba," said Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla.

France's support was precious in the process of the lifting of American embargo, especially to Cuba's economic and humanitarian plans, affirmed Rodriguez Parrilla, stressing that "the new Cuban economy opening up process will offer a lot of opportunities to French entrepreneurs".