Pyongyang, September 13 (KCNA) -- A reception was given by the diplomatic envoys of ASEAN countries here on Tuesday to mark the ASEAN Day.

Present there on invitation were Pak Ui Chun, foreign minister of the DPRK, Pak Kil Yon, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Attending it were Chhorn Hay, Cambodian ambassador, Nasri Gustaman, Indonesian ambassador, Chaleune Warinthrasak, Lao ambassador, Le Quang Ba, Vietnamese ambassador, and Mohamad Hasril Abdul Hamid, Malaysian charge d' affaires ad interim, and staff members of their embassies.

Nasri Gustaman said in his speech that ASEAN is making great contributions to ensuring the international and regional peace and security and the work for economic development of its member nations.

He said that the DPRK government decided to dispatch its ambassador to ASEAN.

Pak Ui Chun in his speech hoped that the ASEAN would register great successes in the work to achieve regional integration and unity and attain the goal of building a community by 2015.

He stressed the DPRK government would strive to boost the friendly and cooperative relations with the ASEAN countries, member countries of the Non-Aligned Movement.