France Reiterates Stance in Favor of End of U.S. Blockade on Cuba

HAVANA, Cuba, Feb 1 (acn) The French government reiterated on Monday its position in favor of the lifting of the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States on Cuba, Prensa Latina reported.

France has always been convinced that, despite the international tensions that could exist, there was a need to lift the blockade, and therefore end it, said President Francois Hollande in a statement to the press with his Cuban counterpart Raul Castro, who is on a state visit to that European country.
President Barack Obama, who made progress in this regard, should, he said it himself, go to the end of the lifting the blockade, "a vestige of the Cold War," pointed out Hollande.
In addition, the Head of State stressed that it must be lifted, so the Caribbean nation fully assumes its place. It is the will of that country and the will of the international community .
For his part, Raul Castro expressed his gratitude for the traditional French position in favor of lifting the blockade, which is "the main obstacle to the development of our country and to economic-commercial relations."
The Cuban head of state acknowledged the leadership of the French nation in promoting the construction of a new stage in relations between the European Union and Cuba, on the basis of respect and reciprocity.
In this regard, the Cuban President referred in particular to the negotiation of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement, an ongoing process since April 2014, which is "in a very advanced stage."
We are two countries with different historic, cultural, geographic realities and different political systems. However, the friendly, respectful and productive relations we maintain show that it is possible to set out to achieve common goals and projects that contribute to the development of our respective nations and of all humanity, he stressed.