The relationship between France and Zimbabwe had not realised its full potential because of outstanding political and economic issues in the latter, the French ambassador said in Harare on Monday. Didier Ferrand spoke at a reception to mark Bastille Day, his country's national day, attended by a number of Zimbabwean government officials, for the first time in months.

The government stopped attending European Union embassy functions officially in the run-up to the 2000 June parliamentary election. This was in apparent protest at what it alleged was their bias towards the opposition MDC. Present at Monday's function were Education, Sport and Culture Minister, Aeneas Chigwedere, the Midlands provincial governor, Cephas Msipa and Ngoni Chideya, representing Stan Mudenge, the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Ferrand said: "It is unfortunate that, due to a number of outstanding political and economic issues, it has not been possible to realise the full potential of the co-operation between our two countries. "It is also most regrettable that, in spite of all the demarche that were made here and in Paris, properties and productive farms belonging to French nationals are still listed for compulsory acquisition and in some cases have received Section 8 orders, although they were legally acquired and do not meet the criteria for the official land redistribution programme."

Ferrand said France fully supported the United Nations Development Programme initiatives aimed at finding a lasting solution to an equitable, sustainable, transparent and comprehensive land reform and resettlement programme. "We have nevertheless endeavoured to maintain a political dialogue with the government of Zimbabwe and a relationship based on solidarity with the people of this country," said Ferrand. He said France supported the New Partnership for Africa's Development (Nepad) initiatives, principles of democracy, human rights, the rule of law and political and economic good governance as well as conflict prevention as cornerstones for the creation of a conducive environment for peace, stability and development in Africa.