New Delhi, June 29 (IANS): President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday greeted the government and people of Congo on the eve of their National Day.

In his message to Congolese President Joseph Kabila Kabange, the President Mukherjee said, "On behalf of the government, the people of India and on my own behalf, I have the pleasure to convey warm greetings and felicitations to you and to the friendly people of the Democratic Republic of Congo on the occasion of your National Day."

"I am confident that the warm and friendly relations between our two countries will be further strengthened in the years to come to the mutual benefit of our people," he said.

"Please accept, Excellency, my best wishes for your personal health and well-being and for the progress and prosperity of the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo," he added.

The central African country of Congo, or Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), holds its National Day to commemorate its liberation from Belgium on June 30, 1960.