China and the European Union (EU) have agreed to continue their dialogue in order to strengthen bilateral cooperation, according to the Xinhua news agency.

The agreement was reached during a meeting in Rome on Sept. 13 between Hua Jianmin, the Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), or China 's legislature, and Jerzy Buzek, President of the European Parliament.

As two major international forces, China and the EU are keen to deepen mutual cooperation for the fundamental interests of both sides, said Hua at the meeting.

The NPC is willing to continue talking with the European Parliament to strengthen bilateral cooperation, the Xinhua reported Hua as saying.

According to the Chinese official, both parties should continue to enhance the Sino-EU comprehensive strategic partnership to be able to communicate and cooperate better during the international financial crisis and on climate change as well as other issues.

Buzek stressed on the importance of Chinese and EU relations, saying that the European Parliament wants to engage in frank discussions with the NPC to promote Sino-EU cooperation across the board.

Hua Jianmin was in Rome for a summit of parliamentary speakers from the Group of Eight (G8) and emerging economies, on behalf of top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo, according to the Xinhua./.