Kosovo's independence, a threat to Cyprus

"During a visit in Cyprus on December 10th, Russian Foreign Minister Sergueï Lavrov warned the EU of the consequences if Kosovo declares independence", reminds columnist Costas Venizelou, who shares the same opinion. "Kosovo's independence would be a recognition of the fact that a state was invaded. This is comparable to the Cypriot case, which lost one fourth of its land after being invaded by the Turkish army in 1974. Acknowledging the independence of Kosovo will open a door to the recognition of Northern Cyprus' independence, and ruin all hope of seeing the still-divided isle unite again. Turkey wishes the independence of Kosovo, in order to legalise its 1974 aggression on Cyprus. Greece should also beware of any Kosovar move, since the Thrace region, located in the North, is inhabited by a great majority of Muslims."

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