Paris, March 19 (RHC) -- France's foreign minister said on Wednesday he would soon travel to Cuba, the first such visit in 30 years.

"I will soon go to Cuba, which is something new," Laurent Fabius said during a news conference with his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Alberto Figueiredo.

Diplomats said the visit would take place before the summer and aims to discuss the expansion of economic ties with Cuba as well as the upcoming negotiations between Cuba and the European Union on the improvement of relations.

Cuba this month accepted a proposal by the EU to open negotiations on a new political accord, saying it was willing to resolve any issue as part of discussions that would end what it considers a one-sided relationship with Europe.