German FM travels to Cuba to re-establish ties

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier traveled to Cuba on Wednesday to improve bilateral political and economic relations with the island nation and as a sign of support for the normalization of ties between Havana and Washington.

Steinmeier is the first German foreign minister visit Cuba in an official capacity, and there will meet his Cuban counterpart Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla and Culture Minister Julian Gonzalez Toledo.

Archbishop Jaime Ortega from Havana will also meet with Steinmeier, as the religious leader continues to maintain strong ties with the Cuban opposition and civil society representatives.

Before leaving for Havana, Steinmeier said in a statement that he wants to be a helpful resource for Cuba to reopen itself up to the world.

The last visit to Cuba by a representative from the German federation government dates back 14 years, under the rule of the Social Democrat and Greens coalition led by Chancellor Gerhard Schroder, when the then Economy Minister Werner Muller visited the Caribbean country.