Serbia will never recognize the self styled pseudo-state in the northern Turkish- occupied areas of Cyprus, Serbian President Boris Tadic stressed last week, while on a two-day official visit to Cyprus.

The Serbian President was speaking at a joint press conference with President Demetris Christofias, at the Presidential Palace, following the signing of bilateral agreements between the two countries.

On his part, President Christofias thanked Tadic for his country's steadfast and longstanding positions on the Cyprus issue as well as the strong support of Serbia in the efforts undertaken by the Greek Cypriot side to reach a comprehensive solution to the problem.

"We had a cordial and substantial meeting with President Tadic, during which we discussed in depth our excellent bilateral relations and ways to strengthen those relations,'' he added.

The Republic of Cyprus, he continued, ''strongly supports Serbia's efforts to join the European Union", noting that ''our position stems from the excellent traditional relations with Belgrade and our policy as regards the integration of the countries of the Western Balkans into the Union".

He also noted that ''the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo was an unacceptable act,'' making clear that the Republic of Cyprus "does not recognize Kosovo and will never do so, as a principled position which is consistent with international law.''

A solution, he added, ''must be a product of a mutual bilateral consultation which would lead to an agreed settlement which should respect the territorial integrity of Serbia and be adopted by the Security Council of the United Nations.''

President Christofias said that with his Serbian counterpart they also discussed the current developments in the Cyprus problem, adding that ''we briefed the President of Serbia on our willingness to continue talks from the point they have been interrupted and on the basis agreed on with the former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat".

''We are ready to work with the new leader of the Turkish Cypriot community to reach an mutually agreed solution, a solution of a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality as defined by the relevant UN resolutions for a single state with an undivided sovereignty, a single international personality and a single nationality,'' he said.

Speaking through an interpreter, President Tadic expressed gratitude to the Republic of Cyprus for its support to the struggle of his country and expressed personal thanks to President Christofias as regards the process of accession of Serbia into the European Union and for his unreserved solidarity on Kosovo.

Referring to the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo, the Serbian President said that such separatist activities are extremely dangerous, making clear that "Serbia will never recognize such separatist tendencies wherever they come from".

"Such moves clearly breach international law, the decisions and the Charter of the United Nations and the Helsinki Agreement", he noted.

He also pointed out that ''Serbia will never recognize the pseudo-state (in the northern Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus)".

He said that all disputes should be resolved at the negotiating table and on the basis of the UN Security Council resolutions and decisions.

Serbia is addressing the Kosovo issue having in mind those principles, the Serbian president went on to say.

Referring to the trade and economic relations between Cyprus and Serbia, President Tadic said that they could be improved and to this end both he and President Christofias would encourage businessmen from both countries to invest in the two countries.

Two bilateral agreements were signed on behalf of the two countries prior to the joint press conference, one on Social Insurance and the other in Education and Science field.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and the former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat began peace talks in September 2008. Talks are set to resume on May 26, between President Christofias and Eroglu, who succeeded Talat.