Serbia looks to UN GA after ICJ ruling

Serbia's FM Vuk Jeremic stated today in The Hague that Serbia will never recognize the Kosovo Albanian unilateral independence declaration. His comments came after the International Court of Justice (ICJ), asked to give its advisory opinion on the legality of the proclamation under international law, found that since there was "no active provision that limits independence declarations, Kosovo's declaration is not in breach of international law". Serbia looks to UN GA after ICJ ruling Serbia will continue with a peaceful diplomatic fight for Kosovo, Jeremic said, noting that it would be difficult. The next step, he said, is the debate at the UN General Assembly this fall. The foreign minister said that it was of paramount importance to preserve peace and stability in the entire territory of the province, and called on citizens there not to respond to provocation. Kosovo's ethnic Albanians made the declaration in February 2008, but Belgrade rejects it as an illegal act of secession. The ICJ today decided to declare itself only in the technical sense when it comes to the Kosovo Albanian proclamation, according to Jeremic, "and in effect avoided making a stance on the essential issue of whether or not they had the right to attempt a secession from Serbia". The court's opinion, the minister added, will soon be sent back to the UN General Assembly, which will reach political conclusions related to this issue. "The next step is the debate at the UN General Assembly in September in New York, and I am convinced that the right course of Serbia's policy will be confirmed," said he. Jeremic also sent out his message that this policy would not change. "This is a peaceful policy that is based on the principles of international law, and today in the courtroom, we did not hear that anyone had a right to secede. Such a debate is political, and it is clearly yet to take place at the UN General Assembly," Serbia's chief of diplomacy concluded. Full texts of ICJ advisory ruling, dissenting and separate opinions The Serbian delegation at the ICJ today (Tanjug)

Serbia looks to UN GA after ICJ ruling

Serbia will continue with a peaceful diplomatic fight for Kosovo, Jeremić said, noting that it would be difficult. The next step, he said, is the debate at the UN General Assembly this fall.

The foreign minister said that it was of paramount importance to preserve peace and stability in the entire territory of the province, and called on citizens there not to respond to provocation.

Kosovo's ethnic Albanians made the declaration in February 2008, but Belgrade rejects it as an illegal act of secession.

The ICJ today decided to declare itself only in the technical sense when it comes to the Kosovo Albanian proclamation, according to Jeremić, "and in effect avoided making a stance on the essential issue of whether or not they had the right to attempt a secession from Serbia".

The court's opinion, the minister added, will soon be sent back to the UN General Assembly, which will reach political conclusions related to this issue.

"The next step is the debate at the UN General Assembly in September in New York, and I am convinced that the right course of Serbia's policy will be confirmed," said he.

Jeremić also sent out his message that this policy would not change.

"This is a peaceful policy that is based on the principles of international law, and today in the courtroom, we did not hear that anyone had a right to secede. Such a debate is political, and it is clearly yet to take place at the UN General Assembly," Serbia's chief of diplomacy concluded.

Full texts of ICJ advisory ruling, dissenting and separate opinions