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

On hand were Choe Thae Bok, secretary of the WPK Central Committee, Kim Yong Jin, minister of Education who is chairman of the Korea-Cuba Solidarity Committee, Mun Jae Chol, acting chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, and other officials concerned and working people in the city of Pyongyang.

Kim Yong Jin noted in a speech at the meeting that the Cuban people waged an armed struggle five decades ago to put an end to the pro-U.S. dictatorial rule and built a socialist system guaranteeing genuine freedom and happiness of the people.

The friendly relations between the DPRK and Cuba are developing with each passing day under the deep care of the leaders of the two countries, he said.

The peoples of the two countries have struggled shoulder to shoulder for the victory of the socialist cause while smashing the U.S. imperialists' aggression and interference and ceaseless economic blockade, he noted, adding that the Korean people would as ever stand together with the Cuban people in the struggle for the victory of the socialist cause.

Jose Manuel Galego Montano recalled that the Cuban revolutionaries and people overturned the pro-U.S. dictatorial regime and built a genuine people's power.

Over the past years the Cuban people have achieved great successes though they have suffered not a small loss due to the imperialists' vicious blockade and natural disasters, he said.

The relations of friendship between Cuba and the DPRK have grown stronger through visits of delegations at different levels this year, he noted, wishing the heroic Korean people great success in their efforts in the new year.