...

‘I Will Demand Restoration of Georgian-Abkhazian Dialogue" – German Foreign Ministry’s Special Envoy for Caucasus

Georgia Materials 14 July 2008 16:05 (UTC +04:00)

Georgia, Tbilisi, 14 July / Trend corr N.Kirtskhalia/ "Restoration of negotiations is one of the main terms for peace settlement of Georgian-Abkhazian conflict," German Foreign Ministry's Special Envoy for Caucasus Hans-Dieter Lucas said to Georgian public television.

Germany developed a three-stage plan of peace settlement of the Abkhazian conflict. First stage envisages cancellation of Russian President's decree dated 16 April to establish special relations with Georgian separatists, to return refugees, to provide economic development and political settlement in the region.

According to Lucas, the issue must be treated stage-by-stage. "First, we must consider the problems which promote aggravation of tensions at this stage. Security issues must be discussed then, followed by discussion of returning of refugees to Abkhazia," he said.

Lucas stressed that solving of the issues will enable consideration of economic projects to develop the region. "The main thing now is to restore trust between conflicting sides," said diplomat.

As to his visit to Sukhumi, Lucas said the key issue of his visit is to submit the plan to the leader of separatists Sergey Bagapsh. "I will categorically demand to restore direct Georgian-Abkhazian negotiations," said Lucas.

German diplomat thinks Russia will promote settlement of Georgian-Abkhazian conflict, since it is a member of UN Secretary General's group of friends of Georgia and must act correspondingly.

The correspondent can be contacted at [email protected]

Latest

Latest