Cyprus rejects Kosovo declaration

Cyprus has today officially condemned the ethnic Albanians' unilateral declaration of independence. A Foreign Ministry statement says that Nicosia views this move as a violation of Serbia's territorial integrity and sovereignty. Cyprus rejects Kosovo declaration The announcement comes one day after an EU ministerial meeting in Brussels, unable to come up with a joint policy over recognizing Kosovo, leaving it instead to its member states to decide individually. And while some large European countries such as France, the UK and Italy have decided to recognize Kosovo with record speed, despite Serbia's position that both the declaration and its recognition are illegal, Cyprus held its ground on the issue. "This act of secession falls outside of the framework of international law, and is therefore null and void," official Nicosia said. The statement, which can be viewed as strong support for Belgrade's position, adds that this EU member also considers the declaration in breach of the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act and UN Security Council Resolution 1244. "We are certain that a final status solution agreed on by both sides can and must be reached through dialogue and negotiations, and then approved by the Security Council, the body that has the role of maintaining peace and security," the statement concluded.

Cyprus rejects Kosovo declaration

The announcement comes one day after an EU ministerial meeting in Brussels, unable to come up with a joint policy over recognizing Kosovo, leaving it instead to its member states to decide individually.

And while some large European countries such as France, the UK and Italy have decided to recognize Kosovo with record speed, despite Serbia's position that both the declaration and its recognition are illegal, Cyprus held its ground on the issue.

"This act of secession falls outside of the framework of international law, and is therefore null and void," official Nicosia said.

The statement, which can be viewed as strong support for Belgrade's position, adds that this EU member also considers the declaration in breach of the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act and UN Security Council Resolution 1244.

"We are certain that a final status solution agreed on by both sides can and must be reached through dialogue and negotiations, and then approved by the Security Council, the body that has the role of maintaining peace and security," the statement concluded.