Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma to Co-Host 5th South Africa – Cuba Joint Bilateral Commission

Pretoria – South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will together with her Cuban counterpart Foreign Minister Lomas Morales co-chair the 5th session of the South Africa – Cuba Joint Bilateral Commission scheduled from Thursday – Friday 8-9 November 2007 at the Arabella Sheraton Hotel in Cape Town.

Minister Dlamini Zuma said, “I will co-chair the 5th session of the South Africa – Cuba Joint Bilateral Commission within the context of South Africa’s priority to consolidate and strengthen the bilateral political and economic relations between South Africa and Cuba.”

“The 5th session of the JBC will further serve to:

• Promote South Africa as a principled and reliable partner within the framework of the Joint Bilateral Commission for Economic, Scientific, Technical and Commercial Co-operation between the two countries;
• Review progress made in the areas of co-operation as identified within the framework of the JBC and to investigate areas of future co-operation between the two countries;
• Monitor, through co-operation within the framework of the JBC, Cuba’s assistance to South Africa in addressing its skills shortages and human resource challenges.”

“This session of the JBC will also evaluate progress of the:

• Trade, investment and finance;
• Minin and energy;
• Communications;
• Construction;
• Water Affairs;
• Health;
• Education;
• Sport and recreation;
• Agriculture;
• Arts and Culture;
• Science and Technology;
• Justice;
• Social development;
• Transport; and
• Environmental Affairs working groups.

“Minister Morales will depart from South Africa on Saturday 10 November 2007,” concluded Minister Morales.

Media Programme for 5th South Africa – Cuba Joint Bilateral Commission

For further information contact Manusha Pillai on 082 389 3587

Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

4 November 2007