Hanoi (VNA) – Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh affirmed the Vietnamese Party and State’s efforts to maintain and strengthen traditional friendship and cooperation with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).

The Party leader made the remark while receiving DPRK Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chun in Hanoi on July 26. He said that the two countries’ fine traditional relations, initiated by President Ho Chi Minh and President Kim Il-sung has been consolidated for the benefit of the revolutionary cause and people of the two countries, for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

General Secretary Manh congratulated the DPRK people on their achievements in national defence and construction, welcomed new progress in the six-party talks, and expressed his support for the DPRK people’s aspiration for national reunification.

He praised efforts made by the two Koreas to achieve peaceful unification of the Korea peninsular on the basis of independence, and national self-determination in accordance with the joint communiques signed by the two Koreas on June 15, 2000 and October 4, 2007. He also congratulated the DPKR on the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC).

The Party leader informed the DPRK delegation of the achievements of the Vietnamese people during their renovation process over the past 20 years.

He expressed his thanks to the DPRK people for their valuable assistance to Vietnam in their past struggle for national independence and the current national construction.

He showed his delights at the fine development of two countries’ relations in recent years.

General Secretary Manh asked FM Pak to convey his best regards to Kim Jong-il, General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and Chairman of the National Defence Commission.

Minister Pak conveys best wished from General Secretary Kim Jong-il to General Secretary Manh and other Vietnamese Party and State leaders.

He highly appreciated the great achievements of the Vietnamese people in their national construction and defence.

The foreign minister informed General Secretary Manh about new developments in the DPRK. He said that he was proud of the traditional friendly cooperative ties with Vietnam , which have been continually developed and promoted, especially after a visit to the DPRK by General Secretary Manh in October 2007.

Minister Pak reiterated the DPRK Party and State’s policy to attach importance to developing friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam .

Earlier the same day, FM Pak and his delegation paid a floral tribute to late President Ho Chi Minh at his Mausoleum and visited President Ho’s residence and office. The delegation also laid a wreath at the Monument of Fallen Combatants in Hanoi .