NICOSIA, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Cypriot Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou Marcoullis has reiterated that her country will not recognize any unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo.

    In an interview with the semi-official Cyprus News Agency which was published on Saturday, Marcoullis said, "Our position is well known and has been outlined to our European Union (EU) partners. The Republic of Cyprus will not recognize a possible unilateral declaration of independence."

    On the EU's decision to send a police and civilian mission to Kosovo to take over the administration from the United Nations, Marcoullis indicated that it was mainly a political decision providing for the deployment of a non-military mission in the region.

    "Nothing else has been decided, but we do have strong indications as to the intentions of a number of EU states and other countries, in the event of a unilateral declaration of independence," she added.

    The EU remains divided on whether to support Kosovo's drive to unilaterally declare independence. Cyprus, along with Greece and Romania, stand against such a move, which they fear would have an impact at home.

    Cyprus has remained 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 United Nations has continuously worked to persuade the two communities to find a viable solution to the Cyprus issue. But no breakthrough has been made so far.