France Reiterates Opposition to Cuban BlockadeVisiting President of the French Senate Christian Poncelet said Wednesday, December 6, that his country, as current president of the European Union (EU), heads the European claim for an immediate end to the blockade against Cuba, the local media reported.Poncelet, who arrived in Cuba Monday for a six-day visit, said the economic, financial, and commercial blockade imposed by the US 40 years ago is absurd and has caused enormous suffering to the Cuban people. France rejects the blockade and has used its current European leadership to demand lifting the hostile policy, he said. During his stay, Poncelet had a "frank and fruitful conversation" with Ricardo Alarcon, the president of the National Assembly of the People's Power (parliament), the report said. The French Senator viewed the two countries bilateral relations as "fluid and warm" and announced that an agreement on expanding exchanges between legislative institutions of the two countries had been reached. Many French firms do business with Cuba, in particular in the business sector, said Poncelet, adding that his country will make further efforts to encourage its entrepreneurs to invest in the island. Poncelet held talks with the ministers of transportation, tourism and foreign investment to explore ways of strengthening bilateral cooperation. Poncelet is also expected to meet with Vice President Carlos Lage, and the ministers of foreign trade and economy. |
| People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/ |