Cyprus envoy says Turkey wants Kosovo scenario

(VIENNA) - Cypriot Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou Marcoullis accused Turkey on Tuesday of preparing a Kosovo-like scenario in the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, during a visit to Vienna.

"Turkey is probably preparing a scenario like Kosovo for the northern part of Kosovo," Kosakou Markoullis told reporters, referring to the breakaway Serbian province that has threatened to declare independence.

Nicosia would not agree to such a scenario for northern Cyprus, said Kosakou Markoullis, speaking at a press conference with her Austrian counterpart, Ursula Plassnik.

Only efforts by the United Nations Security Council will provide a solution for Cyprus, she said.

Cyprus has been divided along ethnic lines since 1974 when Turkey occupied its northern third with the stated aim of protecting Turkish Cypriots in the wake of an Athens-engineered coup in Nicosia.

Kosakou Markoullis said the divide between the two sides was getting deeper and expressed regret that Turkish President Abdullah Gul had promoted a two-state island during a visit to northern Cyprus.

Turkey maintains about 40,000 troops in northern Cyprus and supports it economically.