Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma is expected to explore new areas of cooperation between Cuba and South Africa during a two-day state visit to that country.
Zuma, who arrived in Havana on Sunday, will use his visit to strengthen the already existing strong ties and fraternal relations with Cuba, while looking for new areas of cooperation.
South Africa is committed to consolidating bilateral political, economic and trade relations with Cuba with a focus on common positions on issues of mutual concern.
The two countries forged strong political ties during the years of the struggle against both apartheid in South Africa and decolonization in Southern Africa.
Formal diplomatic relations were established in 1994. The 8th South Africa-Cuba Joint Consultative Mechanism was held in South Africa in July 2010 and the next will be hosted by Cuba in 2011.
The Joint Bilateral Commission was established in 2001 and is one of the most significant agreements signed to date which provides the countries with a constructive forum through which bilateral cooperation can be conducted and enhanced.
Through its bilateral relations with Cuba South Africa has benefited significantly.
Cuba seconds medical doctors to South Africa's rural hospitals and trains South African medical doctors in Cuba, while there are also cultural and academic exchange programmes as well as technology transfer and capacity building in the areas of energy generation.
Although bilateral trade remains low, there has been a steady increase in trade over the past few years.
The two countries are working at a strategy to address the trade gaps. South Africa, therefore, calls on all countries to end the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed on the country. This position was supported by all members of the 15th Summit of the African Union (AU) held in Kampala earlier this year.
South Africa and Cuba, as members of the developing world, are committed to advancing the Agenda of the South on the global stage.
Zuma will hold bilateral discussions with President Raul Castro with the aim of exchanging views and positions on issues of mutual concern and explore ways to address these.
The President will be accompanied by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, South Africa's Ambassador to Cuba, Justice Piitso among others. A business delegation aimed at strengthening trade relations will also accompany the President.
Zuma and his delegation will return to South Africa on Wednesday.
