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25 August 2008

Pretoria: South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will, today, Monday, 25 August 2008, hold bilateral discussions with Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque in Cuba. Minister Dlamini Zuma is also scheduled to meet with Cuban Minister of Foreign Investments and Economic Co-operation Ms Marta Lomas Morales on Tuesday, 26 August 2008.

Minister Dlamini Zuma will meet with Ministers Pérez Roque and Lomas Morales within the context of South Africa's priority to consolidate and strengthen existing bilateral political and economic relations between South Africa and Cuba within the broad framework of advancing South-South relations.

South Africa and Cuba have excellent bilateral political and economic relations.

In this regard political relations between the two countries are strong and date back to the prominent and decisive role played by Cuba in the struggle and victory against apartheid and colonialism in southern Africa.

South Africa is one of the main beneficiaries of Cuba's ongoing assistance in the form of scholarships provided to South African youth; transfer of technical expertise or skills development and training in a variety of areas, including health, social development, science and housing.

There are currently 293 South African students studying medicine in Cuba and eight studying towards a degree in physical education and sport.

Enquiries:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853

Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
25 August 2008