克里说，双方中断外交联系已达54年，事实证明对两国及该地区的邻邦都没有取得任何效果 。

退役美国海军陆战队队员拉里∙莫里斯（Larry Morris）、吉姆∙特雷西（Jim Tracey）和迈克∙伊斯特（Mike East）陪同国务卿克里抵达哈瓦那。1961年，这三名海军陆战队队员曾亲手降下美国驻哈瓦那使馆的美国国旗。现在他们在重新开放的使馆再次升起美国国旗。

克里说，“建立正常的外交关系并不是一个政府对另一个政府的恩惠；而是两个国家在两国公民都将受益时共同采取的努力。” 他指出，“现在是应该彼此接触的时候了，两国人民已经不再是敌人或对手，而是邻邦——现在是展开国旗，升起国旗，将我们对彼此的良好祝愿告知全球的时候了。”

2014年12月17日，奥巴马总统宣布计划结束美国孤立古巴的政策。据最近的民意调查，美国近75%的人支持这个决定。

克里说，美国承认古巴政府，但将继续支持古巴的民主和人权改革。

克里说，双方恢复联系将更有利于两国政府就共同关心的许多问题进行接触，其中包括民用航空 、移民、环境等，并为应对自然灾害和全球气候变化做好准备。

Cubans and Americans have much to gain from restored relations

“This is truly a memorable occasion, a day for pushing aside old barriers and exploring new possibilities,” Secretary Kerry told Cubans, marking the first time a U.S. secretary of state has visited the island nation since 1945.

Speaking in Havana August 14, Kerry said the 54-year rupture in diplomatic ties had proved ineffective for both countries, as well as their neighbors in the region. The secretary was joined by retired U.S. Marines Larry Morris, Jim Tracy and Mike East, who had lowered the U.S. flag from the embassy in 1961 and returned to formally raise it over the newly re-established mission.

“The establishment of normal diplomatic relations is not something that one government does as a favor to another. It is something that two countries do together when the citizens of both will benefit,” Kerry said. “The time is now to reach out to one another as two peoples who are no longer enemies or rivals, but neighbors … and let the world know that we wish each other well.”

President Obama announced his plan to end the U.S. policy of isolating Cuba on December 17, 2014. According to recent polling data, nearly 75 percent of Americans support the decision.

The United States recognizes Cuba’s government, but it will continue to support democratic and human rights reforms in the country, Kerry said.

The restoration of ties will make it easier for both governments to engage on many matters of mutual concern, including civil aviation, migration, the environment, and preparing for natural disasters and global climate change, he said.