The government of the Republic of Cyprus has made strong representations over the meeting which UN envoy Alexander Downer had with the so called foreign minister in the Turkish occupied north of Cyprus.

In a written statement released on Saturday, Spokesman Christos Stylianides said the government believes that actions which may “equate the institutions of the lawful state of the Republic with representatives of the illegal secessionist entity should be precluded”.

He said the Foreign Ministry carried out preemptive followed by strong representations regarding UN Special Adviser on Cyprus Alexander Downer’s meeting with the so called foreign minister in the occupied areas.

Referring to reports in the press over the appointment of a negotiator for Cyprus, Stylianides said the time of such an appointment is up to the complete discretion and responsibility of the President of the Republic.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the island’s northern third