Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul accused on Wednesday the Greek Cypriot government of trying to sideline the United Nations from the talks with Turkish Cypriots on reunifying the divided Mediterranean island.

Addressing the UN General Assembly, Gul criticized the Greek Cypriot government for the rejection of a peace plan proposed by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan at a referendum held last year.

Describing the rejection as "a blow to the international community," Gul said, "The chance to put an end to the division of the island, once and for all, was missed."

He also denounced the Greek Cypriot government for refusing to accept Annan's recommendations to lift all restrictions on Turkish Cypriots.

"As a result, the unfair restrictions imposed upon the Turkish Cypriots could not be lifted. One might find it difficult to believe that the Turkish Cypriots still continue to live under restrictions, cut off from the outside world," Gul said.

"As if this was not enough, the Greek Cypriot administration is now trying to sideline the United Nations and carry the issue to other fora. I urge all international actors to discourage these misguided efforts," he emphasized.

Cyprus has remained divided since 1974, with an internationally- recognized Greek Cypriot government in the south and a self- proclaimed Turkish Cypriot state, only recognized by Turkey, in the north.

Source: Xinhua