Present there on invitation were members of the delegation led by Alvaro Lopez Miera, vice-minister and chief of the General Staff of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba, and Ambassador Jose Manuel Galego Montano and Military Attache Leonardo Perez Mesa of the Cuban embassy here.

Ri Yong Ho, chief of the KPA General Staff, Pak Jae Gyong, vice-minister of the People's Armed Forces, general officers and other officers of the KPA were on hand.

Ri Yong Ho said at the reception that the delegation's visit to the DPRK marks an important occasion in developing the friendly and cooperative ties between the armies of the two countries and the overall bilateral relations on a higher stage.

Noting that under the leadership of respected Fidel Castro Ruz and Raul Castro Ruz the Cuban army and people have reliably defended the gains of the revolution, he expressed full support and solidarity with the Cuban people in their struggle to uphold independence against imperialism and the principle of socialism, bolster up the national defence capability and raise the country's international prestige.

The army and the people of the DPRK will as ever strive to boost the friendly and cooperative relations with the Cuban army and people, he declared.

Alvaro Lopez Miera said in his speech that this year marks the significant 50th anniversary of the opening of diplomatic ties between Cuba and the DPRK, adding that the friendly bonds between the two countries have grown deep.

He stressed that the fraternal and comradely friendly relations between the two countries which were provided by Fidel Castro Ruz and President Kim Il Sung have grown stronger thanks to Raul Castro Ruz and Supreme Commander Kim Jong Il.

Noting that Cuba and the DPRK have the same ideal, he stressed the need to boost the traditional relations between the armies of the two countries.

The two armies and peoples will pool their efforts and consolidate their militant fraternity as they have the common goal, he stressed.