Cyprus warns against Kosovo precedent

(NICOSIA) - The government of divided Cyprus warned on Monday that Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence set a precedent which could create new problems for the international community.

"We consider that a unilateral declaration of independence is outside the framework of international principles and the international community," government spokesman Vasilis Palmas told AFP.

"This type of recognition causes a precedent and will cause problems in the future and I wonder where this type of recognition will stop with other states seeking to do the same," said the spokesman of the internationally-recognised government.

For the island's majority Greek Cypriots in the south, Kosovo's declaration could set a precedent for the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), which is recognised only by Ankara.

"Our position has been made crystal clear and it is understood by the EU. This doesn't cause disunity among member states, simply our objection has been registered in a constructive manner," said the spokesman.

EU foreign ministers were holding a crisis meeting on Monday on Kosovo's split from Serbia amid signs of intense behind-the-scenes wrangling over recognition of the new state.

Spain has led a number of EU nations -- Cyprus, Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, and Slovakia -- reluctant to back Kosovo because of their own territorial integrity issues. But the EU's Slovenian presidency said many European nations were still set to recognise the new state.

The TRNC hailed Kosovo's declaration.

"I salute the independence of Kosovo," Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat said in a statement. "I ask that those who object to the independence of Kosovo take into consideration that no people can be forced to live under the rule of another people."

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey seized its northern third in response to an Athens-engineered Greek Cypriot coup aimed at union with Greece.