(BRUSSELS) - EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana expressed concern Tuesday about spiralling violence in Georgia's breakaway regions, saying tensions had reached a "dangerously high level".

"I am seriously concerned about the deteriorating situation in the conflict regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in Georgia," he said in a statement.

"A series of bomb attacks and exchange of fire have resulted in several casualties and raised tension in conflict regions to a dangerously high level."

"I call on the parties to show restraint and to take steps to restore confidence," the EU's top diplomat said. "A peaceful, sustainable solution to the conflicts can only be found through dialogue."

Solana said he had dispatched a special envoy to try to help bring calm.

Abkhazia and South Ossetia broke from Georgian control during wars in the early 1990s that left thousands dead and forced tens of thousands from their homes.

Tensions in Georgia have risen since Russia in April sealed a formal cooperation accord with Abkhazia, whose independence is not recognised by any country, partly inspired by Kosovo's independence declaration.

Russia is notably angered by former Soviet Georgia's attempts to join the NATO military alliance.

Abkhazia, on the Black Sea coast, has been rocked by a series of attacks in recent days. Four people died and six were wounded late Sunday when an explosion rocked a cafe in the Gali district, Russian news agencies reported.

Last week blasts in the Abkhaz capital Sukhumi and the resort town of Gagra injured at least 10 people.

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