22 April 2002
The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aziz Pahad, together with Cuba's First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Fernando Remírez de Estenoz Barciela will co-chair the first meeting of the Consultative Mechanism between the Foreign Ministries of South Africa and Cuba on Tuesday, 23rd April 2002 in Pretoria.
A Declaration of Intent, signed during March 2000 between both countries established this high-level Consultative Mechanism through which bilateral and/or multilateral issues of a political nature could be addressed.
The establishment of the Mechanism testifies to the sound political relations between South Africa and Cuba and the continuity of co-operation and support that has historically characterised our relations.
Against this backdrop, the two countries have moved forward considerably in establishing co-operation in socio-economic development projects, and the various government departments reaffirmed their commitment to this relationship in December 2001, during the first meeting of the South Africa/Cuba Joint Bilateral Commission.
According to the cooperation agreement on water affairs, signed in December 2001, a group of Cuban advisers in water affairs arrived in Pretoria at the beginning of April to work with the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry.
In addition, a Cuban delegation of 12 business and government leaders visited South Africa earlier this month. The First Deputy Minister of Foreign Investment and Economic Cooperation headed the delegation, who met their South African counterparts in a series of seminars and individual consultations in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. Sectors of particular interest included mining, energy, biotechnology, construction, medical equipment, pharmaceuticals and textiles.
As a long-time friend and supporter of anti-colonial liberation struggles in Africa, Cuba maintains an intense interest in African initiatives such as the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) as well as the transition process from the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) to the African Union (AU).
Both countries firmly support the strengthening of the Non-aligned Movement (NAM) as a vehicle that developing countries use to establish critical consensus around fundamental issues such as poverty alleviation, debt reduction and sustainable development. Cuba also shares our sense of urgency at the need to reform the United Nations system, including the Bretton Woods institutions.
Continued co-operation towards the achievement of these fundamental goals will inform the deliberations of the Consultative Mechanism.
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
JOINT COMMUNIQUE ON THE FIRST SESSION OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN-CUBAN JOINT BILATERAL COMMISSION ON ECONOMIC, SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL AND BUSINESS COOPERATION Pretoria, 10-12 December 2001
13 December 2001
a.. INTRODUCTION
Mr Ronnie Kasrils, Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry and his Cuban counterpart, HE Mr Jorge Aspiolea, President of the Cuban National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (Ministry) presided over the first meeting of the South African-Cuban Joint Bilateral Commission in Pretoria between 10 and 12 December 2001.
In their opening remarks the Ministers charged their delegations to produce a work plan which would give effect to the various proposals for cooperation that had been identified. ! Both Ministers emphasized the warm and friendly relations between the two countries founded on support and cooperation that goes back to the 1960s.
b.. HIGH-LEVEL VISITS
Minister Aspiolea was received by :
Acting President Jacob Zuma
Mr Kader Asmal, Minister of Education
Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, Minister of Health
Mr Ronnie Kasrils, Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry
Further meetings after the conclusion of the Commission meeting are foreseen with Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Dr Ben Ngubane, Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology.
Minister Aspiolea accompanied Minister Kasrils on a visit to Nondweni Village in the Northern Province to view the achievements of government in the provision of clear water to rural communities. They participated in the opening of a bridge over the Great Letaba River. He further engaged in discussions with representatives of the provincial government and the community. This enabled both of them to talk about the cooperation between the two countries which was well received by the community.
Similarly, the Ministers visited Flag Boshielo Dam and purification works and the water reticulation programme. This also enabled Minister Aspiolea to view the service provision to the community including the implementation of the government's basic free water programme. He also engaged in discussions with the local community.
They will also be visiting Durban Metro and the rural areas surrounding Ethekwini to see progress in relation to water services and sanitation and to meet with the local government representatives of the community.
c.. PREPARATORY WORK
Working sessions between representatives of the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, and the Cuban delegation produced the text of an agreement which will be signed during the closing ceremony at 09:00 on 12 December 2001.
d.. CLUSTER WORKING GROUPS
The Commissions divided into two cluster working groups to deal with its work : Economic Development Issues and Social Development Issues and Construction. The chairs of the working groups will report to Ministers at the closing session.
e.. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CLUSTER
1.. Water Affairs and Sanitation
a.. In the area of water affairs it was agreed that a programme to second at least ten specialists in rural water service and sanitation would be established and they would commence their work in February 2002. An agreement was drafted for signature.
a.. Trade and Industry
a.. A Cuban Business delegation will visit South Africa in March 2002 to explore opportunities;
b.. South Africa has been invited to participate in an African pavilion in the Cuban international trade fair in November 2002.
a.. Agriculture
a.. Further work was done on series of agreements in the field of agriculture, including general cooperation, sanitary and phytosanitary measures and animal health, which are expected to be signed when the Minister of Agriculture visits Havana in May 2002.
a.. Minerals and Energy Affairs
a.. The South African side proposed a detailed exchange of information on the countries' resources capacities and legal arrangements with a view to possible cooperation in the fields of geology and geophysics, mining technologies, petroleum, electricity and renewable energy.
a.. Double Taxation
a.. The South African side proposed the negotiation of a double taxation agreement and provided a text for study by the Cuban side.
a.. Cross-cutting issues
Several issues such as future cooperation on information and communication technology, on biotechnology, medical equipment and construction which are of interest to several Departments, were identified.
b.. Multilateral Affairs
a.. It was agreed that South Africa and Cuba should coordinate their positions for the forthcoming rounds of negotiations in the World Trade Organisation.
a.. SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION CLUSTER
1.. Education
The Parties agreed to conceptualise a programme for the upgrading of mathematics and science skills in the teaching profession. Further negotiations will be conducted during the visit in March 2002 by the Cuban Minister of Education.
b.. Sport and Recreation
Both Parties expressed their interest in sports exchanges, and exchange of experts in high performance sports. Cuba offered two undergraduate sports scholarships for 2002-2003.
c.. Arts and Culture
A work programme to implement the existing Cooperation Agreement is to be signed in February 2002.
d.. Science and Technology
A programme of cooperation in Science and Technology is expected to be finalised during a Biotechnology Workshop in Cuba in January 2002.
e.. Justice
South Africa proposed the negotiation of Agreements on Extradition and Legal Cooperation in Criminal Matters.
f.. Housing
It was proposed that the Cuban curricula for the training of community based architects and engineers in the housing field be assessed for applicability to South African circumstances.
b.. CONCLUSION
The two Ministers will receive reports from the Cluster Working Group and make closing comments at the final session of the Commission Meeting at 09:00 on Wednesday, 12 December, at the Diplomatic Guest House, Matroosberg Road, Waterkloof Heights, Pretoria. The Agreement on Water Affairs will be signed and a Press Conference will then be given by the Co-chairs, Ministers Kasrils and Aspiolea.