Media Statement

15 July 2022

Deputy Minister Botes undertakes Working Visit to Cuba

The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Alvin Botes, will undertake a Working Visit to the Republic of Cuba to co-chair the 16th SA – Cuba Joint Consultative Mechanism (JCM) with his Cuban counterpart, Gerardo Peñalver Portal, in Havana on 21 July 2022.

The 16th JCM takes place against the backdrop of the excellent bilateral and fraternal ties between the two countries that go beyond the formal establishment of diplomatic relations in May 1994.

Bilateral cooperation continues in several areas such as Health, Arts and Culture, Basic and Higher Education, Defence, Human Settlements, Public works, Science and Technology, Sport, Trade and Economic Cooperation as well as Water and Sanitation.

The annual JCM presents South Africa and Cuba with an opportunity to reaffirm their historical relations and solidarity, comprehensively review relations and take stock of progress made since the last JCM. Furthermore, the JCM will develop a roadmap to deepen Bilateral Cooperation in mutually agreed priority areas and strengthen cooperation on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

Deputy Minister Botes will also hold meetings with several Cuban Ministries and institutions, notably in the areas of Agriculture, Education, Foreign Trade, Science and Technology, Sports, Arts and Culture.

Enquires: Mr Clayson Monyela, Spokesperson for DIRCO,‪‪ 082 ‪884 5974

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

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