South Africa and Cuba hailed what was described as the fruits of their friendship on Tuesday, vowing to cement their co-operation in a host of areas.
”I think we are reaching a stage where we can say our relations have a firm base,” said South African Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma in Pretoria.
”We need, in the coming years, to build on that foundation.”
The minister was speaking at the conclusion of the third session of the South African-Cuban joint bilateral commission. Her visiting counterpart Martha Lomas also spoke of a ”solid foundation” of relations between the two countries.
”We have made a plan for the next two years for co-operation in 19 sectors of our economy,” Lamos told reporters.
Joint ventures between South African and Cuban companies were also in the pipeline. These developments represented ”the fruits of friendship between our two countries”, Lamos said.
A joint declaration issued after the session outlines a wide range of areas of co-operation. Cuba has agreed to replace its current contingent of doctors in South Africa upon the expiry of their contract at the end of the month. It was resolved the co-operation agreement between the Cuban doctors and provincial governments should be modified. This matter is expected to finalised by March next year.
Cuba is also ready to continue the training of 302 South African students in Cuba.
”There are 297 medical students and five students studying physical education in Cuba,” says the declaration.
”Presently, nine South African students who studied in Cuba are in their sixth year of medical science studies in South Africa.”
The two countries agreed to strengthen the existing Cuban tutor programme in South Africa to upgrade the skills of teachers in mathematics.
”This will involve maintaining the current number of 24 tutors for 2004,” says the declaration.
The next session of the bilateral commission will be held in Cuba in 2005. – Sapa