French president François Hollande to visit Havana

LA HAVANE, 3 Mar. —French President François Hollande will travel to Cuba in May, the first visit by a French president to the country.

Mr. Hollande will be in Cuba on May 11, while he is on a four-day trip to the region, where he will also visit some French overseas territories, his office said. Mr. Hollande’s trip comes as the U.S. and Cuba are engaged in historic talks to resume diplomatic ties, ending a decadeslong rupture between the countries.

Those nations aim to reopen respective embassies in Havana and Washington. Officials from the European union and Cuba are also meeting this week in a push to normalize relations.
The talks, scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday in Havana, are due to focus on human rights, a delicate topic for Cuba that EU officials say is crucial for any agreement.
The EU-Cuba talks, which have been postponed twice, are being carefully watched as a possible harbinger for the outcome of Havana’s discussions with Washington.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/french-president-francois-hollande-to-visit-cuba-in-may-1425409185