Xinhua, China
Aug 23 2008

German chancellor proposes "neighborhood conference" for Georgia

2008-08-24 04:25:24

BERLIN, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) — German Chancellor Angela Merkel has
proposed that European Union (EU) presidency France organize a
"neighborhood conference" to resolve economic difficulties for
Georgia, German government spokesman Thomas Steg said on Saturday.

"This is solely a conference aimed at supporting and strengthening
Georgia in economic terms," Steg was quoted as saying by German news
agency DPA.

The spokesman said the Caucasus Summit, or "neighborhood
conference" in the EU’s jargon, is not a conference "aimed at finding
a political solution to the conflict."

Apart from EU member states, Merkel proposed that countries
neighboring Georgia like Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan should
be invited to participate in the meeting.

The proposal had been forwarded to France, which currently holds
the rotating presidency of the EU, and it is up to France to decide.

On Monday, Merkel is to start a tour of Sweden and the Baltic
states, aiming to seek common EU response to the Georgia crisis.