13.1. The Hon Ms Cecilia Valdes (MP), Secretary of the Committee on Services, opened the meeting by introducing members of the Committee. She expressed her satisfaction at meeting the members of the South African delegation in Cuba and welcomed them warmly. She noted the importance of the meeting for Cuba and commented briefly on the country's international, social, and economic relations, expressing confidence in the future of these relations and wishing the South African Select Committee on Public Services success in its initiatives. She briefly outlined the characteristics of the Cuban economic, political and electoral systems.