Original text from La Jornada.
Translation by Unión del Barrio.
Havana, Cuba
“Compatriotas:
Since my election to serve as President of the Councils of State and Ministers, I have reiterated on numerous occasions our willingness to engage the government of the United States in a respectful dialogue, based on sovereign equality, in order to discuss different topics reciprocally, and without prejudice to national independence nor the self-determination of our people.
This was our position as expressed to the U.S. government, both publically and privately, by compañero Fidel at different moments during our long struggle, with the intention of discussing and resolving our differences through negotiations, while at the same time not surrendering even one of our principles.
In the face of great dangers, attacks, hardships and sacrifices, the heroic Cuban people have demonstrated that we are and will continue to be true to our ideals of independence and social justice. These 56 years of Revolution have closely united us, and we have held firm a deep loyalty to those who lost their lives defending these principles since the beginning of our wars of independence in 1868.
Today, despite the difficulties, we update our economic model in order to build a prosperous and sustainable socialism.
As a result of a dialogue taking place at the highest level, including a telephone conversation I had yesterday with President Barack Obama, we have made progress in addressing some issues of interest to both nations.
As Fidel promised in June 2001, “They will return!,” Gerardo, Ramón and Antonio arrived today in our country.
Those who mobilized tirelessly to achieve this end are now enveloped in the absolute joy their families and all our people feel within, and this joy extends to include hundreds of committees and solidarity groups, governments, parliaments, organizations, institutions and personalities that during these 16 years have made incredible efforts to demand their release. To all of you we express our deepest gratitude and commitment.
This decision made by President Obama deserves the respect and recognition of our people.
I want to thank and acknowledge the support of the Vatican, and especially the support of Pope Francis, that has led to the improvement of relations between Cuba and the United States. Similarly, we thank the government of Canada for facilitating the high-level dialogue between the two countries.
In turn, we decided to release and return to the United States a spy of Cuban origin who served the interests of that nation.
Moreover, based on humanitarian grounds, today the U.S. citizen Alan Gross was also returned to his country.
As is our practice and in strict adherence to our legal system, we have unilaterally issued penal affordances to particular criminal inmates on behalf of whom the government of the United States has expressed interest, this including the release of some of these individuals.
Likewise, we agree to the restoration of diplomatic relations.
This does not mean that the main contradictions are resolved. The economic, commercial and financial blockade that has caused enormous human and economic damage to our country must cease.
Although these sanctions have been converted into law, the President of the United States can modify his application of those laws through his executive powers.
We propose to the government of the United States that we take mutual steps to improve the bilateral climate and move towards normalization of ties between our countries, and that this normalization is based on the principles of international law and United Nations Charter.
Cuba reiterates its willingness to promote cooperation in multilateral bodies such as the United Nations.
Recognizing that we have deep differences, primarily those relating to national sovereignty, democracy, human rights, and foreign policy, I reaffirm our willingness to discuss these issues.
I urge the government of the United States to remove those obstacles that prevent or restrict the connections between peoples, families and citizens of both countries, and in particular to remove those restrictions that relate to travel, direct mail, and telecommunications.
We demonstrate that it is possible to find solutions to many problems when progress is made through sustainable exchanges.
As we have said in the past, we must learn the art of living in a civilized manner, while recognizing our differences.
On these important issues we must speak again in the near future.
Thank you very much.”