Invited to the reception were Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, Foreign Minister Ri Su Yong, Minister of External Economic Relations Ri Ryong Nam, and other officials concerned.

Tammam Sulaiman in a speech praised Kim Jong Il for putting the national dignity and power on the highest level by wisely leading the socialist construction and the movement for the national reunification.

He went on:

Kim Jong Il had close relations with HE Hafez Al-Assad and President Bashar Al-Assad true to the will of eternal President Kim Il Sung and further developed friendship between the two countries.

Syria and DPRK, being convinced of their just causes, have adhered to the independent stand and strengthened the cooperation and mutual support for common interests in the international arenas.

Yang Hyong Sop said Kim Jong Il represents the eternal image of the DPRK, Juche-based country and great Paektusan nation, and the sun in the era of independence admired by the progressives.

He noted:

The idea and cause of Kim Jong Il are being reliably carried forward thanks to Marshal Kim Jong Un.

The Korean people will as ever send invariable support and solidarity to the just struggle of the Syrian people with the belief that the Syrian government and people will surely succeed in the struggle for achieving national sovereignty and territorial integrity and building a prosperous country.