Interview: Hollande's visit to Cuba opens door to strategic, lucrative Latin American markets: expert

"Normalizing relations with Cuba is a means of facilitating improvement of relations with other Latin American governments," said Janette Habel, an expert on Cuba affairs, adding French President Francois Hollande's "important visit" would reinforce economic ties with strategic markets.

"(Cuba) is an important market because it is related to Latin America and it facilitates trade with all of Latin American countries ... Even if Cuba's 11-million market is not huge, its position, along with American sides and Latin America, is strategic," Habel told Xinhua in an interview.

The expert noted that Havana enjoys a unique geopolitical position in the region, so "normalize relations with Cuba is a means of facilitating improvement of relations with other Latin American governments, mainly left-wing countries such as Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador, and even Brazil."

As Cuba is opening its doors, Hollande, earlier this week, flew to Havana, the first such visit by a sitting European country leader since 1986.

To Habel, the Socialist head of state's visit is likely to give him a political impetus ahead of presidential election scheduled for 2017.

"We are close to a presidential election in France. With this visit, his image will be enhanced. In addition, he needs to show the left image of his presidency," she said.

According to the expert, Cuba has special historical links with France as its 1789 revolution had impacts on the history of Cuba and the rest of Latin American countries.

Talking about the U.S.-Cuba move to normalize ties, Habel said talks will take time as "there will certainly be difficulties, and any advances will not be in the establishment of embassies but for normalization (lifting of the embargo)."

"(Some Republicans) want to restore relations with Cuba (for better trade exchange) because they are not happy that Europe and China are there and that they cannot, because of the embargo. We will see what they will do in congress as well as some Democrats who oppose lifting the embargo, "she added.

Speaking about China and Cuba links, the expert noted that very good relations between the two countries, a fact which has pushed Washington to resume talks with Havana and France's top official to pay historical visit to the country in a bid to harness lucrative business deals. Endit