Present there on invitation were Ri Su Yong, foreign minister, Cha Hui Rim, chairman of the Pyongyang City People's Committee who is also chairman of the DPRK-Laos Friendship Association, and officials concerned.

The Lao ambassador at the reception said that the two countries have supported and cooperated with each other in the struggle to build an independent and prospering new society against imperialism.

He noted that the bilateral relations of friendship and cooperation provided by President Kaysone Phomvihane and President Kim Il Sung have invariably developed under the wise leadership of the top leaders of the two countries over the past 40 years.

The two countries have deepened solidarity in international arena, he said, expressing belief that the traditional friendly and cooperative ties would grow stronger.

Ri Su Yong said that President Kim Il Sung rendered material and moral assistance to the Lao people in their anti-imperialist struggle for national liberation to achieve the independence of the country.

Leader Kim Jong Il and Marshal Kim Jong Un had a historic meeting with Choummaly Sayasone who visited the DPRK and deepened the feelings of friendship and trust with him, a historic event which injected fresh energy into the development of bilateral relations, he noted.

The DPRK will make every possible effort to boost the bilateral relations of friendship and cooperation in the idea of foreign policy of independence, peace and friendship, he said.