(VOVworld) – Vietnam suggests Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership members intensify cooperation and the sharing of experience, and build dialogue and information sharing mechanisms between the legislatures to improve the economic and financial situation in each country. Nguyen Van Giau, Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Committee for Economic Affairs, Nguyen Van Giau, spoke at a discussion on “Economic and Financial Governance Structures” at the 8th Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership (ASEP-8) Meeting, that opened in Rome on Tuesday. He spotlighted the economic restructuring going on in many countries, including Vietnam, and emphasize the growing role of legislative bodies in economic and financial management and governance.

In a discussion on “Sustainable Growth and Food Security”, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat applauded the efforts of governments to ensure food security and sustainable development. He shared Vietnam’s agricultural development experience over the past three decades and underscored the need to sharpen competitiveness to promote integration and cope with climate change. Minister Phat called for more assistance from the international community to help Vietnam achieve sustainable agricultural development targets.

A meeting on “The Role of Parliaments in Fostering Europe-Asia Dialogue, Sustainable Growth and Stronger Governance Structures”, attracted hundreds of delegates from 50 Asian and European nations, the European Parliament, and representatives from the World Bank, the United Nations Development Program, and other international organizations.

On the meeting’s sidelines, Minister Cao Duc Phat met with Italian Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry, Maurizio Martina. They agreed to promptly sign a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in agriculture, food hygiene, and security, and on accelerating trade of agricultural products and sharing of experience.