Eurasia Press & News
Serbia’s Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić says that Belgrade will not recognize Kosovo as independent regardless of the ICJ opinion. “Serbia will not accept the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo,” he told a group of reporters in Washington.
“Ours is a democratic country, and our position on the unilateral declaration is based on our Constitution and mandatory decisions passed by the National Parliament, and enjoys the support of an overwhelming majority of our citizens,” Jeremić explained.
The Washington Times writes that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) could rule in the case as early as this month, and adds that Serbia pins its hopes on the court’s decision.
The case was forwarded to the top UN tribunal by the UN General Assembly on Belgrade’s request, and is calling for the court to give its advisory opinion on the legality under international law of the Kosovo Albanian unilateral independence declaration.
The proclamation was made in February 2008, and was immediately dismissed by Serbia as an illegal act of separatism.
The United States and 22 out of 27 EU countries have recognized Kosovo as independent, but the territory was unable to join the UN where Serbia has the backing of permanent UN Security Council member Russia.
