Brussels - The European Union will not deal with a new government in Madagascar that seizes power through violent means, officials in Brussels warned on Monday.

"The EU of course rejects acts of violence. If a new head of state is lifted to office through violent means and against the constitution, we will not recognize them," said Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg, whose country holds the EU's rotating presidency.

Last year, the European Union threatened to freeze millions of euros in non-humanitarian aid to Mauritania following the appointment of a new prime minister by the country's military junta.

And on Monday, Schwarzenberg threatened to do the same with Madagascar, where the country's opposition has taken over government buildings and has announced it has issued an arrest warrant for embattled President Marc Ravalomanana.

The Indian Ocean island - whose main export is vanilla - has seen a two month stand-off with scores killed in a dispute between Ravalomanana and opposition leader Andry Rajoelina.