Havana, July 17 (RHC) –- Germany and Cuba have signed framework accords to formalize future ties. The agreements were signed on Thursday following a meeting between the visiting German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his Cuban counterpart, Bruno Rodriguez.

The two documents are intended to open regular consultations between their ministries and cultural exchanges.

The visit by the German official takes place amid negotiations between Cuba and the European Union to kick-start their relationship.

Steinmeier said Thursday that the time had come for Germany to "readjust" relations and end a long period of "speechlessness and estrangement."

Steinmeier is accompanied by a small delegation of business representatives. This as the prospect of a better relation between Cuba and the United States and a more relaxed business context have attracted European and Asian businesspeople in recent times.

Bilateral trade between Cuba and Germany is still relatively low at around $424 million annually. Tourism, on the other hand, has seen a more positive development. Last year, 124,000 Germans visited Cuba, making them the third largest inbound group after tourists from Canada and Britain.