Tadić: Law on Serbia's side

President Boris Tadic says that international law is on Serbia’s side in the case of Kosovo, and expects the ICJ to rule in Serbia’s favor. “The deciding factor will not be how many countries submit an opinion with the International Court of Justice (ICJ), but the quality of those arguments. We’re convinced that international law is on Serbia’s side,“ Tadic told reporters in Belgrade after a presentation of the national anti-cancer program. Tadic: Law on Serbia's side The president said that the ICJ would need at least a year to consider the case. The court announced yesterday that 35 UN member-states had submitted an opinion to the ICJ on the question of the legality of Kosovo’s independence declaration, a case launched following a Serbian initiative at the UN General Assembly. In addition to the 35 states, the provincial authorities in Kosovo have also filed their own deposition justifying their decision to declare independence in February 2008. According to Tadic, there should be no illusions as to the fact that political pressure will be exerted on the ICJ’s work, though the Serbian government is confident that the court will exhibit the highest possible level of impartiality. “We’re also sure that Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence, as a drastic unilateral act, threatens not only Serbia’s integrity, but international order, and that that kind of act is exceptionally hazardous for the stability of many regions throughout the world,“ said the president. “This isn’t just a Balkan question, or a Serbian question, this is a question for other continents too. There are many Kosovos, not just in the nearby Black Sea region, but many similar situations in Asia, in Africa, Latin America, and that’s why this question has a global significance,“ he stressed. Tadic was adamant that Serbia would not forgo her rights or integrity. “In doing so, we’re not in any way impinging on the rights of Albanians or others. On the contrary, this kind of action at the ICJ protects the rights of Albanians too, not just the rights of Serbs and the state of Serbia in preserving its integrity and sovereignty,“ said the president. He added that considerable patience would be required during the case. “That’s why I’m telling our citizens that this kind of international initiative greatly raises our potential and chances of preserving our integrity, and that’s why our people in Kosovo should know that this action is of paramount importance to their future and security,“ he underlined. Boris Tadic (FoNet, archive)

Tadić: Law on Serbia's side

The president said that the ICJ would need at least a year to consider the case.

The court announced yesterday that 35 UN member-states had submitted an opinion to the ICJ on the question of the legality of Kosovo’s independence declaration, a case launched following a Serbian initiative at the UN General Assembly.

In addition to the 35 states, the provincial authorities in Kosovo have also filed their own deposition justifying their decision to declare independence in February 2008.

According to Tadić, there should be no illusions as to the fact that political pressure will be exerted on the ICJ’s work, though the Serbian government is confident that the court will exhibit the highest possible level of impartiality.

“We’re also sure that Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence, as a drastic unilateral act, threatens not only Serbia’s integrity, but international order, and that that kind of act is exceptionally hazardous for the stability of many regions throughout the world,“ said the president.

“This isn’t just a Balkan question, or a Serbian question, this is a question for other continents too. There are many Kosovos, not just in the nearby Black Sea region, but many similar situations in Asia, in Africa, Latin America, and that’s why this question has a global significance,“ he stressed.

Tadić was adamant that Serbia would not forgo her rights or integrity.

“In doing so, we’re not in any way impinging on the rights of Albanians or others. On the contrary, this kind of action at the ICJ protects the rights of Albanians too, not just the rights of Serbs and the state of Serbia in preserving its integrity and sovereignty,“ said the president.

He added that considerable patience would be required during the case.

“That’s why I’m telling our citizens that this kind of international initiative greatly raises our potential and chances of preserving our integrity, and that’s why our people in Kosovo should know that this action is of paramount importance to their future and security,“ he underlined.