UN Court of Justice Decision on Kosovo Independence Looming

World | July 22, 2010, Thursday // 08:14|  views

The flag adopted by Kosovo upon declaring independence. The six stars are meant to represent Kosovo's six major ethnic groups.

The International Court of Justice based in the Hague will issue Thursday its advisory opinion on the legality of the declaration of independence of the former Serbian province of Kosovo.

The non-binding ruling will be read by the ICJ President Hisashi Owada during a public sitting at 15.00 CET.

Late Wednesday evening Marjus Bentler, the commander of the NATO-led KFOR security force in Kosovo, called to all parties to remain peaceful in the wake of the announcement of the Court's opinion, and to avoid all inflammatory actions and comments.

Serbian press reported that Serbia would send over 50 diplomats abroad to help promote its position on Kosovo's independence.

Kosovo declared its independence on February 17, 2008. It has been recognized by a total of 69 countries so far, including the USA and 22 of the 27 EU member states (with the exception of Spain, Romania, Greece, Slovakia, and Cyprus).

The decision about the legality of Kosovo’s secession from Serbia was taken to the International Court of Justice by the UN General Assembly at the request of Serbia. The exact question posed to the Court is: “Is the unilateral declaration of independence by the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government of Kosovo in accordance with international law?”

The Serbs together with Kosovo and a total of 29 countries including the US, Russia, and a number of EU member states took part in oral hearings before the UN court on the issue in December 2009.

Even though it is non-binding, the ICJ ruling on Kosovo’s independence is anticipated around the world, as it can have wider repercussions with respect to a number of secessionist movements around the world. It can also either solidify Kosovo’s independence or impede its further international recognition.

The ethnic Albanian-populated Kosovo decided to break off from Serbia after almost two years of internationally monitored talks that failed to secure Serbia's approval for the secession, in the wake of the 1999 NATO bombing of the former Yugoslavia to end a crackdown by the forces of then-President Slobodan Milosevic against Kosovo's separatist ethnic Albanians.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!


Tags: kosovo, ICJ, International Court of Justice, Kosovo independence, Serbia, secession, UN anniversary

Back  

» Related Articles:

Search

Search