French Foreign Trade Minister Matthias Fekl was in Havana on Friday to strengthen commercial ties with Havana as the Communist nation seeks to boost its flagging economy through a series of reforms.

In 2011, Cuba's Communist Party detailed 300 reforms to be implemented by 2016. Still pending are restructuring of large state industries such as sugar, manufacturing and tourism.

Speaking at a news conference in Havana, Fekl told media France wanted to view Cuba as a working partner.

"We want to be working with Cuba, which is going through this economic programme of opening up and modernising," he said.

Fekl's visit comes as the United States and Cuba pursue talks to restore diplomatic ties.

The French foreign trade minister gave a nod to the opening up of ties.

"This is what France's position is, and it is all the more important following the decisions announced by Cuba and the United States on December 17," he added.

French President Francois Holland is also scheduled to travel to Cuba in May, the first visit for a French head of state to the Latin American country.

The chief of the Paris Club also met with Cuban finance officials in an unprecedented meeting to negotiate terms for some $15 billion to $16 billion the Communist-led country owes to 15 creditors.

The two sides have made swift progress over the past year after negotations had previously been stalled since 2000.