Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault Thrusday declared to deepen the trade relationship between the two countries on the latter's first official visit to Canada.

The two prime ministers have signed five deals that will further deepen the relationship between the countries in the areas of science and technology, innovation and entrepreneurship, social security and youth mobility.

"Canada and France are important friends and allies who share deep historic, cultural, linguistic and commercial ties and who co-operate closely on the world stage," said Stephen Harper in a press release Thursday.

 "The initiatives announced today will help increase the flow of people, scientific knowledge and commerce between our two great countries in the future and celebrate the joint sacrifices and accomplishments of our past," said Harper.

After meeting with the Canadian prime minister, Jean-Marc Ayrault would be meeting with the premiers of Canadian province Quebec and Ontario.

During the meeting of the two prime ministers, France and Canada signed a youth mobility agreement by which the youths in the two countries can easily opt for higher studies in the other country.

"Under the new Agreement, Canadian and French youth will now be able to travel and work in the other country for a total period of up to 24 months," Harper's government said in the release.

"The new Agreement will continue to cover Canadian students wishing to complete part of their university curriculum at a French institution as well as Canadian youth participating under the Student Guide Program, an initiative that allows Canadian students to work as guides at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France."

The two leaders also discussed a wide range of shared matters of interest including the global economy and global warming, trade and investment, progress towards a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with the European Union.

Ayrault will be in Canada will March 17. 

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