Cyprus reiterates position on Kosovo ahead of EU presidency

Source: Tanjug

BRUSSELS -- During its EU presidency Cyprus will not change the policy towards Kosovo and will continue to support Serbia on its path of European integration.

This was heard on Wednesday from Permanent Representative of Cyprus in Brussels Cornelius Corneliou.
"We will not recognize Kosovo and that remains our position," Corneloiu told reporters at a briefing held as his country prepares to take over the European Union's rotating presidency.

Cyprus is one of five EU member states that have not recognized Kosovo's ethnic Albanians' unilateral declaration of independence, made in February 2008.

Corneliou said that this will not affect priorities and the development of socio-economic relations between Brussels and Priština, or the dialogue between Priština and Belgrade.

When it comes to policy towards Serbia, Corneliou said that Belgrade should be given a little more time to meet the requirements of the European Council and Commission set to begin accession negotiations.

If these conditions are met, we will continue to support Serbia, he said.

Corneliou said that the process of EU enlargement to the Balkan countries, including Turkey, remains the top priority regardless of the fact that Turkey has announced that it will suspend dialogue with Brussels during the Cypriot presidency.

"It is their unilateral decision, but we are arguing for the continuation of negotiations," he said.

Cyprus will take over six-month EU presidency from Denmark on July 1.