Pyongyang, May 8 (KCNA) -- The DPRK government hosted a reception at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on May 7 in welcome of the visiting Belarusian government delegation.

Invited to the reception was the Belarusian government delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Shuleiko.

Present there were Jong Myong Su, vice-premier of the DPRK Cabinet, Kim Jong Gyu, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, and officials concerned.

Jong Myong Su made a speech at the reception.

He warmly welcomed the delegation, saying that its visit to Pyongyang will contribute to further developing the friendly and cooperative relations between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Republic of Belarus.

Noting that the third meeting of the DPRK-Belarus intergovernmental joint committee for trade and economic cooperation will serve as an important occasion of providing an actual result for promoting the wellbeing of the peoples of the two countries, he expressed the belief that the bilateral cooperation and visits would be brisk in the future, too.

Then, Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Shuleiko made a speech.

He expressed thanks for warmly greeting his delegation and said that he witnessed the Party, government and people of the DPRK advancing rapidly along the road of fresh development and prosperity.

Belarus and the DPRK have maintained the traditional relations of friendship based on mutual respect for state sovereignty and the right to independent development, he said, adding that Belarus would further activate cooperation and contact for the well-being of the peoples of the two countries in the future. -0-