Paris, February 2 (RHC)-- The French government has reiterated its call for the end of Washington's economic, commercial and financial blockade of Cuba.

During an official visit to Paris by Cuban President Raul Castro, French President Francois Holland said that his U.S. counterpart, Barack Obama, has himself said that the blockade, a remnant of the Cold War, must come to an end.

The French head of state said that Paris has always been convinced that, despite international tensions that exist, there is a need to lift the blockade. For his part, Raul Castro thanked France for its traditional stance against the blockade, which is the main obstacle to the development of Cuba and to commercial and economic relations with the United States.

The Cuban president also expressed his gratitude to France for fostering relations between Havana and the European Union on the basis of respect and reciprocity.