PYONGYANG, Oct 11, (Xinhua):  Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), held talks Friday with Dmitry Medvedev, chairman of the United Russia party and deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Saturday.

Medvedev came to Pyongyang to pay a congratulatory visit to the DPRK as the head of the delegation of the United Russia party on the occasion of the 80th founding anniversary of the WPK, said the KCNA. During the talks, Kim extended warm greetings to Russian President Vladimir Putin and a warm welcome to Medvedev.

The visit is an expression of the firm support and solidarity of the United Russia party and the Russian people with the WPK and the DPRK people in their just cause and will serve as a significant opportunity for expanding and developing the DPRK-Russia relations into a strong and comprehensive strategic partnership and alliance, Kim was quoted by the KCNA as saying.

Noting that the ruling parties have an important position and role in strengthening the political cooperation between the two countries and creating a political environment favorable for the development of bilateral ties, the DPRK leader expressed his hope that the WPK and the United Russia party will boost cooperation steadily and conduct exchanges and maintain contact more closely to attain the common goals of defending the interests of the two countries and promoting the wellbeing of the two peoples, the KCNA reported.

Medvedev, for his part, said he was happy to visit Pyongyang on the occasion of the 80th founding anniversary of the WPK. He said that the bravery and self-sacrificing spirit of the DPRK soldiers displayed in the Kursk liberation operations proved the solidity of the fraternal ties between the two countries, the special relations of trust, and the invincibility of the alliance forged at the cost of blood.

Medvedev added that he is willing to make efforts to further boost exchanges and cooperation between the two parties and two countries, the KCNA reported. Kim and Medvedev also discussed long-term plans for further revitalizing contacts and cooperation between the WPK and the United Russia party, and exchanged views on issues of mutual concern, including the international and regional situation, the KCNA said.