'Common Caucasus concept to put end to conflict in region'

The concept of the Common Caucasus will settle all the conflicts that have been initiated by imperial forces in the region, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said at a joint news briefing in Tbilisi with his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sargsyan today.

"Imperial forces established their relations with our countries on the principle of divide and rule," he said. "This gave results. But we must establish our relations on new principles now, ensuring the security of our country and stability in the region."

He said all conflicts in the Caucasus are influenced from outside."The conflicts are imposed from outside," he said. "We must get rid of these conflicts. We need direct talks without the participation of third forces."

The Georgian president spoke voiced the initiative of common Caucasus at the European Parliament at the end of last year. Saakashvili stressed that there is no alternative to the unification of the Caucasus.

The conflicts in the region may be solved only through negotiations, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said at a briefing. "We must hold negotiations and solve the existing problems this way, as we are intended to ensure safe living of our peoples," he said.

Sargsyan urged to make concrete steps to ensure security in the region. "I think that we will be able to reduce tension in the region only through negotiations," he said. "It may contribute to our further development."