“It is time for the United State to enter a dialogue with Cuba.

“It is clear that our nation’s policy toward Cuba is undermining the very family values which are at the core of our greatness. Both nations must agree to a good faith effort and constructive engagement so families can be reunited and Cubans can have opportunities to live better. Our trip showed that if both nations agree to cooperate, positive engagement to achieve mutual economic growth and family reunification is possible.

“While we have strong disagreements with the Cuban government, the U.S. has a vested interest in the future of Cuba because it will have vast implications on our future as well. Cuba’s people deserve to share in the wealth of individual freedoms that are shared by people around the world and so. I believe that the U.S. should respond positively to the proposal set forth by Raul Castro in a recent speech.

“No one should be under the illusion that a negotiation with Cuba would be easy, or that results would be guaranteed. But if we refuse to engage in normal diplomacy, we are guaranteed to produce no results at all.

“We are at a turning point in the U.S.-Cuba relationship. This trip we began to have more open discussions and dialogues about the best path forward – one that involves open and cooperative engagement.”