Cuba's Raul Castro on grand bridge-building France trip

Cuba's Communist President Raul Castro will be welcomed under the Arc de Triomphe in Paris during a rare state visit on Monday to showcase his island's warming ties with big world powers.
The Cuban leader arrived in Paris today, two days ahead of the start of the official programme, sources at Orly airport south of Paris said.
Castro's visit is an indication of his island's improved ties with major powers following last year's restoration of relations with longtime foe, the United States.
On the back of that rapprochement the 84-year-old leader is now paying court to France, one of his most powerful European allies.

French officials said when the visit was announced January 19 that it would mark "a new stage in the strengthening of relations between the two countries" following on from President Francois Hollande's own state visit to Cuba last May, the first by a western head of state in more than half a century.
"This visit is important for Cuba's image," said Eduardo Perera, an expert in international relations at Havana University, specializing in Europe.

"It will undeniably make Cuba shine on the international stage."
Havana hopes the visit will allow Cuba to "widen and diversify its relations with France in all possible areas -- politics, economics, trade, finance, investment, culture and cooperation," said Rogelio Sierra, Cuban deputy foreign minister.

Although Washington has yet to lift its half-century trade embargo on Cuba, US and European businesses are jockeying for a place in the market as the island's economy gradually opens up.
Hollande urged an end to the blockade, which was imposed in 1962, on his Havana visit.
Trade delegations have been flocking to Cuba, hoping to cash in on its highly trained workforce and natural assets such as its sundrenched Caribbean beaches, a draw for tourists.
Cuba, meanwhile, needs to tap new sources of income as its main ally and financial backer, Venezuela, remains mired in economic and political crisis.

During Castro's visit, France and Cuba are expected to sign an "economic roadmap" to improved ties, French officials said.
They will also sign deals on transport, tourism and fair trade.
Bilateral trade between France and Cuba is currently worth about USD 195 million.