General Secretary Manh visited the DPRK from October 16-18 at the invitation of Kim Jong Il, General Secretary of the Korean Workers’ Party and Chairman of the National Defense Commission of the DPRK.

The following is an interview given by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem to reporters accompanying Mr Manh.

Reporter: Could you tell us about your impression of the visit to the DPRK?

Mr Khiem: Party leader Nong Duc Manh and his entourage were given a grand welcome ceremony at the airport hosted by Mr Kim Jong II in the presence of Kim Yong Nam, Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly, other senior officials and thousands of people of the DPRK.

During the visit, Party leader Manh held talks with General Secretary Kim Jong Il and Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly Kim Yong Nam, paid tribute to late President Kim II Sung and visited the Kumsusan Memorial Palace and a number of agricultural and industrial establishments in Pyongyang.

During talks, both sides reached a high consensus on various international issues of mutual concern as well as important issues related to relations between the two Parities.

The two Party leaders also showed appreciation for the time-honoured friendship between the people of the two countries that was built up by late Presidents Ho Chi Minh and Kim Il Sung. The friendship has been inherited and developed assiduously by former and current leaders over the past 50 years.

Reporter: Could you elaborate on the main content of the talks during Mr Manh’s visit?

Mr Khiem: Both sides devised measures to further boost bilateral cooperation in economics, culture, science-technology and education-training, especially in the strong areas of agriculture, seafood, mining and sports.

They also agreed to promote the role held by the Inter-governmental committee on economic and scientific-technological cooperation and to implement the agreements already reached between the two countries, including agreements on investment promotion and protection, trade and cultural cooperation.

Party General Secretary Manh hailed DPRK Prime Minister Kim Yong Il’s upcoming visit to Vietnam, saying that the visit would be a chance for both sides to discuss measures to further bolster economic and cultural ties.

Both sides shared the same view on some international issues and expressed their pleasure at the two countries’ coordination on some issues of mutual concern at regional and international forums in recent times. They also pledged to continue to work more closely, particularly after Vietnam becomes a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. A mechanism for annual dialogue between deputy foreign ministers will be soon established.

During talks, the Vietnamese Party leader expressed his sincere thanks for Chairman Kim Jong Il for valuable assistance and support by the Party, Government and people of the DPRK for Vietnam’s revolutionary cause in the past and its bid for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council for the 2008-2009 term. General Secretary Kim Jong Il was grateful for Mr Manh’s aid relief for flood victims of the DPRK in recent times.

Reporter: Could you give your assessment of results of the visit?

Mr Khiem: The two leaders highly valued achievements recorded by the two people in national construction and defence. They informed each other about the situation in each country and affirmed their respect for the paths for development chosen by each country. They also agreed to promote the exchange of experience in order to boost the processes of national development and socialist construction.

General Secretary Kim Jong Il spoke highly of Vietnam’s achievements during its Doi Moi (Renewal) process and said his country can gain positive experiences from Vietnam.

In summary, Mr Manh’s official visit to the DPRK has successfully concluded, thus strengthening the traditional friendship between the two countries and boosting bilateral cooperative relations for peace, stability and cooperation in the region and the world.