German FM to discuss plan of Abkhazian conflict settlement

TBILISI, July 19 (Itar-Tass) - German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter
Steinmeier will discuss with Abkhazia leaders in Sukhumi on Friday a
peaceful settlement of the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict.
He said at a joint news conference with Georgian President Mikhail
Saakashvili on Thursday that settlement of the conflict is not a simple
process, and you cannot be a pessimist and at the same time expect a very
rapid settlement of the conflict. Settlement efforts should be activated.
Steinmeier said a direct dialogue between Tbilisi and Sukhumi should
be resumed for settlement of the Abkhazian conflict within the framework
of internationally recognized borders of Georgia.
The German foreign minister will return from Tbilisi to Batumi.
After finishing his visit to Georgia he will fly to Moscow.
Saakashvili said on Thursday that "Tbilisi welcomes Germany's efforts
to settle the Abkhazian conflict and calls for Russia's becoming a part of
the process, and not a part of the problem".
Germany's plan of three-stage settlement of the Abkhazian conflict
envisages solving the problems that create tension in the conflict area,
as well ensuring security.
The second stage is the return of refugees to the Abkhazian region and
economic rehabilitation of the regions.
The third stage is the solution of political issues, or Abkhazia's
status within Georgia, The German Foreign Ministry's representative for
the Caucasus, Hans-Dieter Lukas said during his visits to Tbilisi and
Sukhumi on July 12-14.
Meanwhile, the leaders of the self-proclaimed republic say the "status
of Abkhazia cannot be a subject of talks, and Sukhumi is not going to
discuss it with anybody".