Pretoria - The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ebrahim Ebrahim, co-chaired a successful 9th SA-Cuba Joint Consultative Mechanism (JCM) meeting on Monday with his counterpart, Marcelino Medina Gonzalez in Cuba.
The talks included the consolidation of political bilateral and multilateral relations and to further increase cooperation between the two countries.
Speaking at the JCM, Ebrahim said the two countries continue to pursue possibilities for joint collaboration in areas of mutual benefit.
"More importantly, South Africa appreciates the close relationship with Cuba, which goes beyond government-to-government relations, and which is seen in the close fraternal relationship at a people-to-people level and party level. This close and trusted relationship enables South Africa to learn closely from the successes of the revolution in as far as delivery of social benefits to our citizens," said Ebrahim.
The JCM with Cuba convenes annually and it is co-chaired by the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa and the Cuban First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The forum was established in 2001 to strengthen the existing political bilateral relations and to further increase cooperation, particularly in the multilateral and regional spheres.
Ebrahim expressed South Africa's appreciation for Cuba's support in assisting the government to deliver basic and essential services to the people of South Africa through the joint programmes in health, labour, social development, housing and public infrastructure.
"The deployment of architects, engineers, doctors and technical experts throughout the country rendering service to South African citizens bears testimony to Cuba's commitment."
He also acknowledged the significance of the training of young South African people as medical professionals through Cuba's generous offer of 80 scholarships every year.
Through this programme, more than 500 young South Africans from impoverished communities have been given the opportunity to pursue a career in primary healthcare and provide a service to their communities.
"The generosity of Cuba in this regard goes beyond South Africa, to Africa, with more than 2 299 students from 48 African countries being recipients of the medical scholarship offered to poorer developing countries," said Ebrahim, adding that this commitment is evidenced through the presence of Cuban medical brigades in Africa, in 28 countries, with more than 1 831 doctors and other personnel.
Collaboration in this area, he said, has borne fruit through the trilateral cooperation partnerships in Rwanda and Mali. Both countries remain committed to continued support for the African Agenda to ensure that Africa remains a priority in the search for growth and development.
Possibilities for further similar projects are being explored. For example, Cuba has proposed that South Africa join a trilateral partnership with Norway and Cuba in the field of public health to assist Haiti.
South Africa will continue to lobby for the lifting of the Economic, Trade and Financial Embargo against Cuba.
A Technical Committee, led by DTI, has been set up to work with the Cuban authorities on the modalities of the $14million aid package as announced by President Jacob Zuma.
Besides paying a courtesy visit to the Cuban Ministers of Foreign Affairs, and Deputy Minister of Public Health, Ebrahim placed a floral tribute at the bust of Oliver Tambo, the late president of the African National Congress (ANC), at the African National Heroes Memorial Park in Havana.
Today, Ebrahim will conclude his trip to Cuba by meeting with that country's Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Investment.
