Pyongyang, September 3 (KCNA) -- Hessou Kohovi, chairman of the Benin-Korea Amicable Association "Long Live Kim Jong Il, Supreme Leader" and chairman of the Benin National Committee for the Study of the Juche Idea and of General Kim Jong Il's Works, made public a statement on Aug. 28 congratulating leader Kim Jong Il on his successful visits to Russia and China.

Kim Jong Il paid historic and significant visits to the Siberian and regions of the Far East, Russia and Northeast China from Aug. 20 to 27, 2011, he said, and went on:

The visits marked an event which further developed the DPRK-Russia and the DPRK-China friendly relations that have grown stronger generation after generation and gave strong impetus to the sacred cause of the Korean people in their efforts for the building of a great prosperous and powerful nation.

The above-said visits let markedly the DPRK raise its international position and gave momentum to the voices supporting the cause of the Korean people.

I extend a warm salute to the Korean people in their positive efforts to open the gate to a great prosperous and powerful nation at the earliest possible date, to achieve the independent reunification of the nation and to safeguard peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula and the region.