Cuban President Raul Castro met Wednesday with South Africa Presidency Minister Esoop Pahad, with whom he talked on issues of common interest, Granma newspaper reported today.

Both leaders examined the development of the excellent bilateral relations and talked about several international and regional affairs.
The Cuban statesman used the meeting with Pahad to send a message to South African President Thabo Mbeki, the daily stated.
Cuban Vice President Esteban Lazo and South African chargé d"affairs in Havana Thando Nyawose also attended the gathering.
Pahad, who started his working visit early this week, expressed his willingness to continue the development and expansion of links between both nations.
(ACN)
The Cuban statesman used the meeting with Pahad to send a message to South African President Thabo Mbeki, the daily stated.
Cuban Vice President Esteban Lazo and South African chargé d"affairs in Havana Thando Nyawose also attended the gathering.
Pahad, who started his working visit early this week, expressed his willingness to continue the development and expansion of links between both nations.
(ACN)