Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aziz Pahad left for the Middle East on Saturday, the department said in a statement. Spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said the minister will visit Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait City.
”Issues on the agenda will include the consequences of a post-Saddam Iraq for the region, the ‘Road-Map’ for peace in the Middle East and South Africa’s bilateral relations with those countries,” Mamoepa said.
”The South African government has pledged its full support to the speedy implementation of the road map. However, without commitment from both the Israelis and Palestinians to comply with the obligations as outlined in the road map, peace in the region will remain elusive.”
The minister will share this message with the leadership of the region in order to ascertain their understanding of the unfolding process, Mamoepa said.
He is also expected to discuss the recent outbreaks of suicide bombings and the dire consequences for peace and security of the region.
Mamoepa said the minister will then lead the South African delegation to the second meeting of the Consultative Mechanism between the foreign ministries of South Africa and Cuba between June 3 and 4 in Havana, Cuba.
”The minister will co-chair the meeting together with Cuba’s First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Fernando Rem-EDrez de Estenoz Barciela. ”
A Declaration of Intent, signed during March 2000 between both countries established a high-level Consultative Mechanism through which bilateral, multilateral, and regional issues of a political nature could be addressed.
The establishment of such a mechanism, testifies to the excellent political relations that exist between South Africa and Cuba and to further increasing co-operation, particularly in the bilateral and multilateral spheres.
Mamoepa also said: ”During this meeting the parties intend to review and exchange views on their political bilateral relations, African and Latin American subjects in general, as well as the African Union.
”The revitalisation of the Non-Alliance Movement (Nam) will also feature high on the agenda, as South Africa and Cuba are, together with the current chair Malaysia, members of the Nam Troika.” ‒ Sapa