By Jonny Dymond BBC correspondent in Istanbul

Turkey has denounced as unacceptable the European Union's decision to admit the divided island of Cyprus to the union in May 2004.

In a statement, the foreign ministry said that it had notified the European Commission and member governments of its rejection.

Senior members of the Turkish Government and military are meeting to decide on a position towards the United Nations' reunification plans.

The language of the ministry could not be simpler.

The Turkish foreign ministry says that there is no single state authorised to represent the whole island

The island was divided into two separately controlled areas when the Turkish army invaded in 1974 following a coup attempt by Greek Cypriots.

The Greek Cypriot administration is internationally recognised, while the Turkish Cypriot government is only recognised by Turkey.

Tough stance

The Turkish foreign ministry says that there is no single state authorised to represent the whole island and that the EU does not have the right to make unilateral decisions on the future of Cyprus in breach of what it calls international agreements.

This is a tough line and it comes as the most senior members of the new Turkish Government are meeting to decide whether or not to proceed with UN proposals for reunification of the island.

The foreign ministry takes a tougher line than some of its notional political masters, but what it says represents much of Turkey's bureaucratic and military establishment.