(VOVworld)- National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung has praised the EU’s role and international prestige saying that Vietnam always prioritizes the EU in its foreign policy. Speaking at a meeting with the President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy in Hanoi on Thursday, Mr. Hung said he hoped to develop an equal partnership and long term comprehensive cooperation with the bloc for peace and development in the region. Chairman Hung praised the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and the start of negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement adding that these agreements will lay out the important legal ground for expanding and deepening bilateral ties. Chairman Hung said he hoped the EC President would support further cooperation between Vietnam’s National Assembly and the European Parliament. Rompuy praised Vietnam’s role in ASEAN and the relationship between Vietnam and EU member countries. He said that the EU is on the road to recognizing Vietnam’s market economy status and that the EU and EP placed a high value on government reports at National Assembly’s meetings, which reflected Vietnam’s dynamic and reformed legislative body.