The Cypriot government reaffirmed on Monday its opposition to any possible unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo, fearing such a move will have an negative impact on the future of the ethnically divided island.
The semi-official Cyprus News Agency quoted government spokesman Vassilis Palmas as saying that Cyprus, a European Union (EU) member state, will never consent to a secession and recognition of Kosovo.
He stressed that any settlement should be based on international law and U.N. Security Council decisions concerning secessionist acts.
"God forbid that Cyprus should agree, even if the rest of the EU decides to recognize the independence of Kosovo, even if there are reactions to our behavior," said the spokesman.
If Cyprus agrees on Kosovo's secession, Palmas explained, the unilateral way that Kosovo pursues would cause problems to the Cyprus case.
The four-month negotiations mediated by the troika of U.S, EU and Russian envoys on the future status of Kosovo, legally still part of Serbia, have failed to achieve any result acceptable for Pristina and Belgrade.
Kosovo is expected to declare independence early in 2008 with Western backing. The United States and most EU member states support statehood for Kosovo. Serbia, backed by Russia, warns it would unleash chaos in the fragile Balkans.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey militarily intervened and occupied the north of the island following a coup by a group of Greek officers who pushed for union with Greece.
In 1983, the Turkish Cypriot authorities declared breakaway and set up "the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus," which is recognized only by Turkey.
For several decades, the U.N. has continuously worked to persuade Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities to find a viable and mutually acceptable solution. But no breakthrough has been made so far.
Source: Xinhua
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