(PARIS) - French President Nicolas Sarkozy spoke by telephone Wednesday with his Georgian and Russian counterparts, pursuing diplomatic efforts to ease the crisis in the Caucasus.

In a statement, the Elysee Palace said Sarkozy "underlined the urgent neccesity to lower tension and to fully apply the six points of the ceasefire agreement" that the French leader brokered earlier this month.

Sarkozy spoken "at length" with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, and then with Georgian counterpart Mikheil Saakashvili, ahead of an EU summit in Brussels next Monday dedicated to the crisis.

France currently holds the rotating EU presidency.

"President Sarkozy recalled the position of the EU presidency concerning the Russian decision to recognise the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia," the Elysee Palace said.

It added: "The putting into place of additional security measures, as well as the question of refugees, were the subjects of deep discussion."

In Moscow, the Kremlin said Medvedev "informed the French president in detail on the current situation following Russia's recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, stressed that it was necessary for Tbilisi to fulfill Sarkozy's resolution plan according to which Georgian troops must return to their bases".

It added: "Medvedev gave his detailed opinion on thoughts and concerns voiced by the French leader regarding some media reports from the rgeion, and put forth Russia's stance on quickest possible resolution of security issues for South Ossetia and Abkhazia".

The Russian leader "was also ready to continue contacts with his French counterpart, including a possible meeting in Russia," the statement added.

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