NICOSIA, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- Cyprus will never recognize a unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo, the island state's Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou Marcoullis said on Monday.

    "Cyprus will never recognize a unilateral declaration of independence outside the U.N. framework, and in particular by side-stepping the role of the Security Council," said Marcoullis.

    But she said she does not believe that such a move could set a precedent for the recognition of the Turkish Cypriots-controlled northern Cyprus, given the U.N. resolutions on Cyprus issue.

    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 U.N. has continuously worked to persuade the two communities to find a viable solution to the Cyprus issue.

    The Cypriot government has been staunchly opposed to Kosovo's independence bid, fearing such a development would further encourage the breakaway Turkish Cypriot north.