Yesterday evening, French President, François Hollande, arrived to Cuba on an official visit, the first made by a French head of state to the Island.
From the capital’s José Mar¬tí international airport, where he was received by Deputy Minister of Foreign Relations, Rogelio Sie¬rra, the French President stated that “there exist deep historic ties between the French and Cuban people,” and that both countries remain “committed to independence.”
He also commented that he arrived with great emotion as the first French president to visit Havana and that his country is pleased to “participate in the opening of Cuba to the world.” He commented on the process of reestablishing diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States, in which – he stated –France, along with Europe will accompany the island.
“With France, they will have a loyal ally,” he noted. Hollande arrived with a large delegation of representatives of government and various institutions, among them President of the National Assembly, Claude Bartolone and Ministers of Ecology, Justice, Health, Culture and Foreign Affairs.
During his visit, the French head of state will hold conversations with President Raúl Castro and other Cuban officials. Likewise, he will attend the inauguration of the new French Alliance headquarters and give a lecture in the University of Havana’s Aula Magna, according to the schedule published by Élysée Palace, the president’s official residence. Hollande’s visit reflects both nations’ willingness to strengthen political and economic ties.
France and Cuba established diplomatic relations in 1902 and both countries have strong historic and cultural links. Since 1992, France has voted in the United Nations in favor of the lifting of the U.S. economic embargo against Cuba and has been an important interlocutor in the European Union supporting negotiations on the Political and Cooperation Dialogue between the island and this bloc.
