(SUKHUMI) - The European Union's foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, on Friday met the separatist head of Georgia's Abkhazia for talks aimed at easing tensions over the Russian-backed province.

As they began their meeting in front of journalists, Abkhaz administration chief Sergei Bagapsh said "We hope for constructive dialogue."

On Thursday Solana met Georgia's pro-Western president, Mikheil Saakashvili, and said he wanted to "lower the temperature" in a dispute that has raised increasing concern in Western capitals.

Analysts said Friday's rare meeting with separatist officials was a sign the EU may be gearing up to play a stronger role in mediating the conflict.

Saakashvili welcomed the visit on Thursday, saying he was "ready to reach out to Russia" and that "we need European Union involvement in the resolution of the conflict."

But Bagapsh told Russia's ITAR-TASS news agency earlier that he would tell Solana the rebel government had no intention of softening its positions.

"We do not intend to change our policy on the resumption of talks just because a high-ranking EU official arrives in Abkhazia," Bagapsh said.

Tensions surrounding Abkhazia have soared since Moscow announced in April that it was establishing formal ties with the separatists.

Russia has also sent to Abkhazia hundreds of extra peacekeeping troops, accused by Tbilisi of giving de facto backing to the separatists.

Western pressure has built on Russia in recent weeks since Saakashvili said his country had come close to war with Russia over Abkhazia.

Later on Friday Russian President Dmitry Medvedev was due to meet Saakashvili in Saint Petersburg.

Text and Picture Copyright 2008 AFP. All other Copyright 2008 EUbusiness Ltd. All rights reserved. This material is intended solely for personal use. Any other reproduction, publication or redistribution of this material without the written agreement of the copyright owner is strictly forbidden and any breach of copyright will be considered actionable.