Kosovo independence legal: UN court

Kosovo's 2008 declaration of independence, contested by Serbia, did not violate general international law, the UN's highest court said on Thursday.

Serbia's Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic awaits the ruling of the International Court of Justice in The Hague Reuters

"The declaration of February 17, 2008 did not violate general international law," International Court of Justice president Hisashi Owada said about one hour into delivering a non-binding advisory opinion.

The UN General Assembly, at Serbia's request, asked the ICJ in October 2008
to render an opinion on the legality of Kosovo's unilateral declaration of
independence from Serbia.

Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic spoke in The Hague just a few hours ahead of the advisory opinion at the International Court of Justice.

Tanjug, the Serbian news agency, quoted Jeremic as saying that if the court supported Kosovo's "secession," then "no frontier in the world and in the region would be safe."

Serbia also cautioned that no conclusions should be drawn before a "careful analysis" of the court's text.

Kosovo's independence has been recognised by 69 countries, including the United States and 22 of the 27 EU countries. It is not accepted by Spain or Russia, a Serbian ally.