On Friday January 3, 2014, the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), represented by Rev. Fr. Talal Hachem, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Law, and the Caen Bar Association (Normandy, France), represented by its president Robert Apery, signed a cooperation agreement.

This agreement stipulates the following: the Caen Bar Association shall provide internship grants for chosen students from the Faculty of Law of USEK, an exchange of documentation, journal subscriptions, scientific and technical cooperation, in addition to the follow up and the continuous development of relations between both institutions.

During the ceremony, Lawyer Joe Karam welcomed the crowd and expressed his delight in Robert Apery’s visit to Lebanon. He informed the audience Mr. Apery had visited Lebanon in July 2013 to sign a cooperation agreement between the Caen Bar Association and the Beirut Bar Association, and he was in Lebanon this time to sign this agreement with USEK. He concluded: “…All this aims to convey a message of peace, love and friendship from France to Lebanon.”

The President of the Caen Bar Association, Mr. Robert Apery, stated: “The agreement that we will sign today is not a classic agreement between two universities, it is an agreement gathering a University and a Bar Association.” Then, he declared: “In June 2014, an international day will be organized on the ‘Right of Defense’ in which European, Lebanese and, maybe, American lawyers will participate. Everyone is invited to take part in this day.”