Havana, Jul 21 (RHC)-- Senior representatives of Cuba and South Africa met in Havana on Thursday for the 16th session of the mechanism for political consultations between foreign ministries.

Presided over by the island's First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gerardo Peñalver, and South Africa's Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Alvin Botes, the meeting examined the political, economic, and cooperation links between the two countries.

The deputy head of the Caribbean nation informed via Twitter that during the meeting, he thanked South Africa for its support "in the battle of the Cuban people for the lifting of the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States."

Peñalver described the exchange with the South African deputy minister as fruitful and said that both officials expressed their willingness to strengthen political dialogue, economic and commercial business, and cooperation during the meeting.

On Wednesday, Botes met with the Cuban Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodríguez.

The South African deputy minister's program in Cuba includes high-level meetings with government representatives and parliamentarians and visits to economic and social interest centers.

The brotherly ties between Cuba and South Africa date back to the 1960s in the heat of the anti-apartheid struggles and diplomatic relations were formally signed on May 11, 1994.