During his historic trip to Cuba, French President Francois Hollande has called for an end to the U.S. embargo on the communist country.

Despite the recent warming relations between the U.S. and Cuba, the embargo, which has been in effect for over five decades, is still in place.

As reported by the BBC, Hollande, while addressing an audience at the University of Havana, stated that his country would continue their efforts to see that "the measures which have so badly harmed Cuba's development can finally be repealed."

Hollande, who happens to be the first French president to visit Cuba since its independence, also has the distinction of being the first Western head of state to go to Cuba since the diplomatic thaw between Cuba and the U.S. was announced late last year.

According to Reuters, the French leader brought up his unique and rare opportunity on arriving on Sunday night, saying: "I come here to Cuba with great emotion because it is the first time that a president of the French Republic comes to Cuba.

"And today it takes a special meaning after what President Obama finally decided."

As diplomatic as the trip is meant to be, there is an obvious business side to it as well, as Hollande brought with him several representatives of commercial interests. The president is traveling with executives from French companies such AirFrance, hotelier Accor and the world renowned distiller Pernod Ricard.

Although each of the three French companies already operates in Cuba, they seek to grow in the region and are no doubt looking toward the lifting of the U.S. economic embargo of Cuba as a way to extend their business.

Traditionally France has kept up good relations with Cuba and is actually one the largest holders of Cuban debt.

Economically things will certainly shift around for Europe when the embargo ends, as the U.S. will suddenly become a new and vital form of competition.