Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
9 December 2001
Mr Ronnie Kasrils, the Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry will co-chair the first annual meeting of the South African - Cuban Joint Bilateral Commission together with the president of the Cuban National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (Ministry), Mr Jorge Aspiolea at the Diplomatic Guesthouse, 201 Matroosberg Road, Waterkloof in Pretoria from the 10th - 12th December 2001.
An Agreement establishing a Joint Commission between South Africa and Cuba was signed during the official visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma to Havana in February 2001. This was followed by a State Visit to Cuba later by President Thabo Mbeki.
This 1st Joint commission will take place against the background of the excellent bilateral relations that exist between South Africa and Cuba and both countries remain desirous of further increasing co-operation.
This Commission provides the two countries with a constructive and useful forum through which bilateral co-operation can be conducted and enhanced. The Joint Commission will therefore seek to centralise the processes of identifying new co-operation projects, and the periodic review of the already extensive co-operation projects.
Following the long-standing relations between Cuba and South Africa, the two countries have established a broad range of co-operation projects, detailed below:
Health: A total of 476 Cuban health professionals are employed by eight of South Africa's nine provinces, and 255 South African students are currently studying medical sciences in Cuba.
Education: South Africa is investigating the implementation of an audio-visual-based Accelerated Literacy Programme proposed by Cuba, for use primarily in rural areas.
Agriculture: A co-operation agreement aimed at improving service provision in the rural areas through the employment of Cuban veterinary scientists in expected to be signed;
Sport: Three students are currently benefiting from Cuban tertiary-level scholarships as physical education and sport trainers.
Other projects include the investigation by various South African Ministries of programmes to exchange information and experiences in the field of biotechnology.
The Commission meeting will conclude with a formal ceremony at which a final declaration, as well as several agreements, will be signed.
For further information, please contact Mr Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853.