Present there on invitation were Ambassador Jose Manuel Galego Montano and staff members of the Cuban embassy here.

Minister Pak Ui Chun and officials of the ministry were on hand.

Pak Ui Chun in his speech noted that the Cuban revolutionaries led by Fidel Castro Ruz waged a heroic armed struggle to put an end to the pro-U.S. dictatorial rule and build a genuine people's country, a socialist system.

Over the past 50 years after the victory of the revolution the Cuban government and people have honorably defended the sovereignty and dignity of the country and made great progress in the work to develop the economy, improve the people's livelihood and strengthen the defence capabilities, he said, stressing: We will as ever strive to steadily boost the traditional and comradely relations of friendship and cooperation between the peoples of the two countries.

Jose Manuel Galego Montano said in his speech that the Cuban party and people would strengthen cooperation with the Workers' Party of Korea and the Korean people led by General Secretary
Kim Jong Il.

We are happy to celebrate the 17th anniversary of Kim Jong Il's assumption of supreme commandership of the Korean People's Army, the ambassador said, wishing the heroic Korean people great success in the new year.