Pretoria, South Africa.- Representatives of South Africa and Cuba reviewed the progress of bilateral relations, with a view to the XV meeting of the Joint Consultative Mechanism, to be held in this capital on September 5, was reported today.

According to a note from the Cuban diplomatic mission circulated in Pretoria, the meeting was headed by South African Deputy Foreign Minister for International Relations and Cooperation, Alvin Botes, and Cuban Ambassador Rodolfo Benitez.

During the working meeting at the local Foreign Ministry headquarters, the parties exchanged on several issues of bilateral relations and regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Botes and Benitez highlighted the excellent level of political and cooperation ties between the two countries, which this year celebrate the 25th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.

The Cuban ambassador, as reported, gave an update on the growing policy of hostility and tightening of the economic, financial and commercial blockade imposed on his country by the U.S. government.

He also thanked the Deputy Foreign Minister for his recent public expressions of solidarity with the Cuban people, broadcast in various national and international forums and in two articles of his authorship published in the South African press.

For his part, Botes reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to continue strengthening economic-commercial exchange with Cuba.