Kosovo breakaway did not violate law

KOSOVO’S unilateral secession from Serbia in 2008 did not violate international law, the World Court said yesterday, in a decision with implications for separatist movements everywhere.

Kosovo won its major victory on the world stage as the United Nations’ highest court declared its independence from Serbia was legal.

The non-binding opinion by the International Court of Justice sets the stage for Kosovo to renew its appeals for further international recognition.

The tiny Balkan country has been recognised by 69 countries, including Britain and the United States. It needs 100 for full statehood.

“Kosovo’s historic victory should not be felt as loss in Belgrade,” Kosovo prime minister Hashim Thaci said, calling the ruling “the best possible answer for the entire world”.

Kosovo foreign minister Skender Hyseni said upon leaving the court, “my message to the government of Serbia is ‘Come and talk to us’”.

Serbia quickly denounced the ruling and vowed it would never recognise Kosovo as separate.

The opinion — passed in a 10-4 vote by court judges read by court president Hisashi Owada — says international law contains “no... prohibition of declarations of independence”. Therefore, Kosovo’s declaration “did not violate general international law”.

The United States said the ruling was “a judgment we support”.

Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic warned, however, that the ruling could encourage separatist movements elsewhere around the world who would now be “tempted to write declarations of independence” in line with the court’s ruling.

“We will never recognise the unilateral declaration of Kosovo’s independence,” he said on the steps of the court’s Peace Palace headquarters in The Hague.

He said Serbia would continue to “fight” for Kosovo by peaceful means, including in the UN

“Difficult times are ahead... but it is crucial that our people don’t react to any possible provocations,” Jeremic said, amid fears that angered ultra-nationalist might trigger violence in Serbia and Kosovo.

They set the US Embassy in Belgrade on fire when Kosovo declared independence in 2008.

Kosovo sparked sharp debate worldwide when it seceded from Serbia in 2008, following a bloody 1998-99 war with Serbia and nearly a decade of international administration.

Serbia and Russia have led opposing countries in condemning Kosovo’s statehood, with Serbs arguing it has been the cradle of their civilisation and national identity since 1389, when a Christian army led by Serbian Prince Lazar lost an epic battle to invading Ottoman forces.

Serbia’s ultra-nationalist Radical Party said the court “gravely violated” international law, and called on the government to demand an urgent session of the UN Security Council to end the EU peacekeeping mission in Kosovo.

And in Kosovo’s divided northern city of Mitrovica, Kosovo Serb Tihomir Markovic called the ruling shameful.

“Justice is on our side, God is on our side,” he said. “After this it will be hard for us — the Serbs in Kosovo.”