Abkhazian authorities reject the German plan of Georgian-Abkhazian settlement

The meeting of President of Abkhazia Sergey Bagapsh and German Minister of Foreign Affairs Frank-Walter Steinmayer that took place in the Gali Office of the UN Mission brought no fruit.

The meeting discussed a new plan for settling the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict, elaborated under the guidance of Germany by the Group of Friends of the UN Secretary General, where members are the ambassadors of USA, France, Russia, Germany and Great Britain. The plan consists of three phases: solution to safety issues, realization of economic projects and return of refugees, and definition of the status of Abkhazia.

The President has informed that Abkhazia is drafting an alternative proposal. "We told the Minister that two points should be specified for sure. Firstly, withdrawal of Georgian troops from the upper section of the Kodor Gorge in Abkhazia, and secondly, signing an agreement on non-restart of military actions and safety. Afterwards, it'll be possible to start the negotiation process," Mr Bagapsh has added.

As to the document presented today by the head of the German Foreign Office, according to Bagapsh, the Abkhazian party has in fact rejected it: "We aren't happy with it, since the prompt return of refugees, on which Georgia insists, will lead to a new war. We have the basic Moscow Agreement saying that return of refugees, first of all to the Gali District, and then - to other districts in a step-by-step manner, is possible only once the conflict has been settled."