He went on:

This year marks the 35th anniversary of the DPRK's entry into UNESCO. In this period the DPRK has taken an active part in the activities of UNESCO, consistently respecting its charter, and the interaction and cooperation between the DPRK and UNESCO have steadily developed, expanding the area of cooperation and raising the quality and effectiveness in implementing the assistance projects.

He pointed out that to ensure that the cultural properties illegally displaced in the past are returned to the countries they belonged to is a political matter for putting an end to the practices of evading the settlement of past wrongs and to take international measures for it has become an important issue in promoting reconciliation among nations and world peace and security.

He supported the adoption of a "declaration of principles relating to cultural objects displaced in connection with the Second World War".

Referring to the fact that the DPRK has entered a turning phase in building a rich and powerful country under the wise leadership of General Secretary Kim Jong Il, he noted that the DPRK's efforts for economic construction would amount to joining the international community in its efforts to attain the UN millennium goal of development and making a positive contribution to such efforts.

Independence, peace and friendship are the invariable idea of the foreign policy of the DPRK, he stressed.