The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Berlin

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday Berlin shares Georgia's concern about Russia's actions in the breakaway region of Abkhazia where tensions between the two ex-Soviet states have soared.

"Like Georgia, Germany is concerned about the steps that have been taken by Russia," Merkel said after talks with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili.

She said Germany was ready to help negotiate an end to the standoff and called on Tblisi and Moscow "to remain calm".

Saakashvili told reporters that he was ready to work with Moscow to defuse the crisis and wanted to forge "a partnership" with Russia, whom he accuses of seeking to annex Abkhazia.