Present there on invitation were Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, Kim Yong Jin, minister of Education who doubles as chairman of the DPRK-Cuba Solidarity Committee, Ri Ryong Nam, minister of Foreign Trade, Kim Jong Suk, chairwoman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, and others, officials concerned, diplomatic envoys of various countries and representatives of international organizations here.

Staff members of the Cuban embassy here were present there.

Jose Manuel Galego Montano said in his speech made at the reception that the Cuban people have pushed forward their revolution their own way, not yielding to any pressure.

The friendly and cooperative relations between Cuba and the DPRK are the special fraternal ties, he said, adding that the relations between the two countries are growing stronger in all fields.

He sincerely wished the Korean people great success in the future, too, under the leadership of Supreme Commander Kim Jong Il.

Yang Hyong Sop said in his speech that since the victory of the revolution, the Cuban people have defended the sovereignty of the country and made great progress in developing economy and increasing the nation's defence capacity under the steersmanship of their leadership.

The DPRK together with the Cuban comrades will make positive efforts to boost the traditional friendly and cooperative relations in the future, too, he noted.