"It is necessary to resume a direct dialogue between Tbilisi and Sukhumi in order to settle the Abkhazian conflict within the internationally recognized borders of Georgia," Steinmeier said at a joint press conference with Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili.
"The best way in this situation is to realize the three-stage plan on the peaceful settlement of the conflict on the principle of Georgia's territorial integrity," he said.
Germany proposed a three-stage plan for resolving the Georgia-Abkhazia conflict. The plan stipulates a commitment to non-violence by all the parties involved in the conflict, the gradual return of Georgian refugees to the region, and the eventual determination of the political status of Abkhazia.
Saakashvili, for his part, said "Georgia is complying with all earlier signed agreements on ceasefire and doesn't intend to use force in the settlement of conflicts."
The president said the return of refugees to the Abkhazian region is an inalienable part of the peaceful settlement of the conflict.
According to Georgia's authorities, over 400,000 citizens of different nationalities left the Abkhazian region in 1993. About 50,000 refugees have returned to the Gali district since the end of the 1990s.
Tbilisi insists that all refugees return to all regions of Abkhazia. However, Sukhumi says refugees cannot return to other districts of Abkhazia besides the Gali district, because "this can lead to new confrontation between Georgians and Abkhazs."
Abkhazia and South Ossetia broke away from Georgia in the 1990sfollowing the collapse of the former Soviet Union. But their self-proclaimed independence is not internationally recognized.
Tensions are running high between Georgia and its breakaway regions, which have recently seen several explosions, border clashes and disputes over peacekeepers.
