Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird has applauded the move by the United States to reestablish relations with Cuba.


During a news conference with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Mexican Foreign Secretary Jose Antonio Meade at Faneuil Hall in Boston on Saturday, Baird called the move initiated by U.S. President Barack Obama a truly historic and overdue development, adding Canada strongly supports the new policy.



The Canadian government played a cameo role in the process, hosting a series of negotiating sessions between the Obama administration and the Castro government.


That process was such a closely guarded secret in Ottawa that the announcement in December even caught some high-ranking federal employees off-guard.


During the news conference, Kerry said North America has "an enormous interest" in building diplomatic relationships with Cuba, adding the diplomatic effort with the Caribbean island "offers the best opportunity for the people of Cuba to improve their lives and to take part in the choices about their lives."


A high-level U.S. delegation held two days of talks with Cuban officials in Havana last week for the first time in decades.


In December, Obama announced plans to restore diplomatic relations with Cuba after more than 50 years.


Baird, Kerry and Meade were in Boston to discuss issues facing North America, including climate, global extremism and trade.