Present there on invitation were Ri Yong Ho, minister of Foreign Affairs, Jon Yong Nam, first secretary of the C.C., the youth league, Ri Chang Gun, vice department director of the C.C., the WPK, and officials concerned.

The ambassador, in his speech, said that President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il adorned with victory and glory the long history of the WPK through the enunciation of the Juche-oriented ideas of party building and gigantic revolutionary practices.

The WPK advanced a far-reaching programme for developing the country at the speed of Mallima by applying the ideology and wishes of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il at the Seventh Congress of the WPK, he said, adding:

HE Hafez Al-Assad and President Kim Il Sung laid firm foundations for bilateral relations of friendship. The parties and peoples of the two countries are standing up against the unreasonable sanctions and blockade of the imperialists under the leadership of HE Bashar Al-Assad and Marshal Kim Jong Un.

Ri Yong Ho said in his speech that Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il provided a powerful and political guarantee for accomplishing the cause of socialism.

It is the steadfast stand of the government and people of the DPRK to further boost the relations of friendship and cooperation associated with noble exploits of the preceding leaders of the two countries under the guidance of Kim Jong Un and Bashar Al-Assad, he noted, adding:

The Korean people will extend firm support and solidarity to the Syrian government and people in their just struggle for smashing all sorts of provocations and aggressive moves of hostile forces and protecting the country's sovereignty and security in the future, too.