The problem in Africa is so serious that we have to surmount old rivalries

Daniel Bernard, French ambassador

International development secretary Clare Short reportedly accused France and the EU of a "conspiracy" to keep Africa in poverty.

She was quoted in the Daily Telegraph newspaper as saying British-backed proposals to dismantle trade barriers between Africa and Europe were being undermined by French and EU protectionism.

But the French ambassador Daniel Bernard said France was fully engaged in negotiations to end tariffs and on other issues included in the Tony Blair-backed New Partnership on African Development (NAPAD).

Mr Blair is attempting to secure French approval for NAPAD ahead of the next G8 group of industrialised nations meeting later this year.

'French intransigence'

Mr Bernard said it had gone unnoticed in Britain that France had already removed trade barriers for Africa's least developed countries.

Europe is a bag of tricks about this at the moment

Clare Short

"We have started working together with the British because we think the problem in Africa is so serious that we have to surmount old rivalries," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

He denied that Ms Short's alleged comments reflected a wider frustration with French intransigence on trade issues.

"We can only rely on the official position of the British government and that is, I think, extremely close to the French position on the future of Africa," Mr Bernard said.

'Big power blocks'

Ms Short reportedly made her comments last week during a four day visit to Africa with the prime minister.

She told the Telegraph there were "big power blocks" in the way of an agreement on free trade.

"Europe is a bag of tricks about this at the moment.

"It's a conspiracy from France and the EU to lock Africa into poverty, and at the same time Europe preaches free trade," she reportedly said.

Asked to comment on Ms Short's reported remarks, Mr Blair told the Telegraph: "I don't want to get into a diplomatic row with France."