PARIS (Reuters) - French bank BNP Paribas said on Sunday it had signed an agreement with Chinese group Fosun to acquire its 9% stake in Belgian insurer Ageas for around 730 million euros ($776.87 million).

"The BNP Paribas Group's acquisition of a stake in Ageas in no way alters the terms of this historic and strategic partnership (between the two companies)," wrote BNP Paribas, the largest bank in the euro zone, in a statement.

"Ageas is pleased to note that BNP Paribas recognizes, through this investment, the value of its long-term partnership and the company's potential for the future", reacts the Belgian insurer in a separate statement.

Last month, Ageas abandoned its planned takeover of Direct Line after the British home and motor insurer rejected a revised £3.17 billion ($3.95 billion) offer from the Belgian insurer.

($1 = 0.9397 euros)

(Reported by Benoît Van Overstraeten and Elizabeth Pineau)