Present there on invitation were Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chun, Minister of Foreign Trade Ri Ryong Nam who doubles as chairman of the Korea-Syria Friendship Association and others.

Souheil Haidar said in his speech at the reception that the Syrian party, government and people regard the immortal Kim Il Sung as a prominent leader of the world liberation movement and a great leader of the 20th century.

The friendly relations between Syria and the DPRK provided by Hafez Al-Assad and Kim Il Sung are growing stronger under the deep care of President Bashar Al-Assad and General Secretary Kim Jong Il, he noted, adding:

Many successes have been achieved in the bilateral relations and the two countries have supported and encouraged each other at the United Nations and other international arenas.

Pak Ui Chun said in his speech that Kim Il Sung who devoted all his life to the prosperity of the country, the happiness of the people and the human cause of independence is the sun for all people.

He referred to the fact that thanks to Kim Jong Il, the revolutionary cause of Juche pioneered by Kim Il Sung is being successfully carried forward to completion.

The Korean people have voiced invariable support and solidarity with the Syrian people in their just cause of defending the sovereignty of the country and its territorial integrity and the dignity of the nation and seeking a fair and comprehensive solution to the Mideast issue, he noted, wishing the friendly Syrian people greater success in their efforts for the development and prosperity of the country.