Pyongyang, November 19 (KCNA) -- The government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea hosted a reception at Yanggakdo International Hotel on Monday evening in welcome of the government delegation of the Russian Federation on a visit to the DPRK.

Present there on invitation were the Russian government delegation led by Alexandr Kozlov, minister of Natural Resources and Ecology who is chairman of the Russian side to the DPRK-Russia Inter-governmental Committee for Cooperation in Trade, Economy, Science and Technology, Alexandr Matsegora, Russian ambassador to the DPRK, and staff members of his embassy.

Present were Yun Jong Ho, minister of External Economic Relations who is chairman of the DPRK side to the DPRK-Russia Inter-governmental Committee for Cooperation in Trade, Economy, Science and Technology, and other officials concerned.

Speeches were made there.

Warmly welcoming the Russian government delegation on a visit to the DPRK, Yun Jong Ho said that mutual cooperation and visits have been brisk in all fields, including politics, economy, culture and sports, under the agreement signed at the historic DPRK-Russia Pyongyang summit.

He said that the 11th Meeting of the DPRK-Russia Inter-governmental Committee for Cooperation in Trade, Economy, Science and Technology would produce practical results conducive to the promotion of the well-being of the peoples of the two countries by making a leap forward in cooperation between the two countries.

Expressing deep thanks for warm reception and hospitality to his delegation, Alexandr Kozlov said that the 11th meeting would be an important occasion in indicating the tasks and directions for boosting cooperation between the two countries.

Saying that the friendly relations between the top leaders of the two countries and the cooperation and support between the two sides serve as a good example of the coexistence of the two powerful states in the present century, he expressed the will to contribute to the expansion and development of the Russia-DPRK friendly relations in a golden age. -0-