Top legislator meets European Council leader Vietnamese NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung (R) and European Council President Herman Van Rompuy   Vietnam always strives to build a fair partnership and encourages comprehensive and long-term co-operation with the European Union (EU) to promote development around the region. National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung stated this when meeting with the visiting European Council President, Herman Van Rompuy, in Hanoi on November 31. Hung praised the recently signed Partnership and Co-operation Agreement (PCA) and the start of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which, according to him, is crucial for expanding bilateral ties. The Vietnamese NA is publicising the outcomes of the Government’s activities, making its supervision work more transparent, as well as stepping up the fight against corruption. It is also mulling over amending the Constitution to ensure human rights are better protected during the new period of development, Hung added. He said that he hopes Rompuy will facilitate co-operation between the Vietnamese NA and the European Parliament (EP) in the near future. Rompuy replied that the EU is keen for Vietnam to continue its role in the relations between the EU and ASEAN while the former is actively working to recognise Vietnam as a market economy. He added that the EU and the EP were impressed with the Vietnamese Government’s question-and answer sessions at the NA, saying that these underline the legislature’s dynamism and new approach. (VNA)