André Chassaigne, president of the Group and a member of the French Communist Party, and legislators from several French political forces were briefed by Acosta, who is also the secretary of the Cuban Council of State, about the effects of the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by Washington for more than 60 years.

Cuba’s inclusion in Washington’s unilateral State Sponsors of Terrorism list and the extraterritorial nature of the blockade, which affects banks, companies, and French citizens, were addressed during the meeting.

The parties also exchanged views on bilateral relations in the parliamentary sphere and other socioeconomic development areas, including medical cooperation.

Acosta explained to the parliamentarians of the Communist, Democratic Movement, National Rally, and Republican parties some aspects of Cuba’s reality, the achievements, challenges, and elements of the parliamentary scenario marked by new laws resulting from the 2019 Constitution.

The French legislators recalled a recent visit by the France-Cuba Friendship Group to Cuba and their interest in its political, economic, and social situation and its relations with the United States.

Cuban Ambassador to France Otto Vaillant; Tamara Valido, president of the Attention to Services Commission at the National Assembly; and Luis Morlote, vice president of the Education, Culture, Science, Technology, and Environment Commission, accompanied Acosta on this visit.

jg/iff/mem/wmr