despite these differences, ondecember 17, 2014, president castro and i announced that the united states and cuba would begin a process to normalize relations between our countries. [ applause ] >> since then we've established diplomatic relations and opened embassies. we've begun initiatives to cooperate on health and agriculture, education and law enforcement. we've reached agreements to restore direct flights and mail service. wee expanded commercial ties and increased the capacity of amererans to travel and do business in cuba. and these changes have been welcomed. even though they're still opponents to these policies. of this debate have asked, why now? why now there's one simple answer. what t t united statessas doing wasot working. we have to have the courage to acknowledge that truth. a policy of isolation designed for the cold war made little sense in the 21st century. the embargo was only hug the cuban people instead of helping them. d i've always believed in what martin luther king, jr. called theeierce urgency of now. we should do not fear change. we should dodo embrace is. [