After meeting his French Counterpart Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault at his office, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper Wednesday expressed Canada's desire to strengthen the trade relationship between the two countries.

"France is one of our closest allies and most important relationships in the entire world," the Globe and Mail quoted the Canadian Prime Minister as saying.

Jean-Marc Ayrault is currently on a three-day trip to the country, meeting with the Canadian political leaders and business groups.

While speaking at a dinner with his French counterpart, Stephen Harper said Canada is committed to signing a free-trade deal with the European Union which would boost the trade relationship between Canada and France.

Before dinning at the Fairmont Château Laurier hotel in downtown Ottawa, the two leaders held a private meeting inside Prime Minister Harper's office where the two discussed a wide range of topics including economic challenges, negotiations on the free-trade deal and issues on peace and security.

The prime ministers of the two countries are scheduled to hold a press conference Thursday before Jean-Marc Ayrault moves to Toronto to meet Ontario Chief Kathleen Wynne.

Jean-Marc Ayrault will also visit Montreal and Quebec City where he will meet with premier Pauline Marois of Quebec.

The French prime minister is on a three-day visit to the Country and this is his first official visit to Canada since his election as prime minister last May.

Hailing the relationship between the two countries as historical, linguistic and cultural relationship, the Canadian prime minister last month said that Jean-Marc Ayrault's visit would deepen the relationship between France and Canada.

"Canada's relationship with France is rooted in our deep historic, cultural and linguistic ties. Our countries are key commercial partners and cooperate closely on global issues of strategic importance, " PM Harper said.

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