France wants to establish a constructive relationship with Cuba in all areas, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said today, on the occasion of the upcoming visit on Saturday by Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius to the Caribbean country.

In an interview with Prensa Latina, the Foreign Ministry''s spokesman Romain Nadal recalled that this trip to Havana is the first in 30 years by an official at this level.

He added that Latin America is a priority in French foreign policy, which seeks to strengthen its links with a number of countries in that region, with all its diversity.

In that context, he said, Fabius and his Cuban counterpart, Bruno Rodriguez, will discuss prospects for these bilateral relations, along with current top international questions.

Nadal stressed that the visit will help encourage ties between the two countries and provide support for businesses wishing to develop projects or set up offices in Cuba.

During his stay in Havana, the foreign minister will open an office for Ubifrance, a public institution devoted to supporting the international development of French firms.

The institution offers information about suitable sectors for business development, support for market research and financing sources for companies looking to invest abroad.

According to the French ministry's official website, a number of French firms are already doing business with Cuba, among them Pernod-Ricard, in the beverage industry, Accor, Nouvelles Frontieres and Fram-Voyages, in Tourism; Bouygues in Public Works, and Total in energy. Likewise, Air France and Corsair operate flights between the two nations.

Some 60 French firms are operating in Cuba and diplomatic relations between France and Cuba have existed since 1902.