Foreign Secretary welcomes Kosovo ruling
皇冠体育app International Court of Justice's Advisory Opinion on Kosovo concludes that Kosovo's declaration of independence did not break international law.
皇冠体育app Foreign Secretary William Hague said:
鈥淚 welcome the International Court of Justice鈥檚 Advisory Opinion on Kosovo, which confirms that that Kosovo鈥檚 Declaration of Independence did not violate international law. Kosovo has been functioning as an independent State for 2陆 years. I encourage other States that have not so far recognised Kosovo now to do so. Kosovo is a unique case and does not set a precedent.
皇冠体育app delivery of the ICJ鈥檚 Advisory Opinion is an important milestone in the journey towards Kosovo and Serbia鈥檚 EU future.
皇冠体育app legal process before the ICJ has now come to its end. This means an end to debate about Kosovo鈥檚 status. It means a renewed focus on improving the lives of ordinary people of all communities in Kosovo and Serbia through co-operation between the two States. Kosovo and Serbia must look forward to the next stages of their progress towards becoming EU Member States.
皇冠体育app UK holds firm in its conviction that Kosovo鈥檚 status as a State and with its territory defined by its existing borders is a positive force for stability in the Western Balkans. I urge both Kosovo and Serbia to embrace this opportunity to reconcile and to become good neighbours.
Kosovo and Serbia together must forge a new path built on the values at the root of the EU鈥檚 existence: democracy, rule of law and peaceful co-existence of States. Baroness Ashton has offered the EU鈥檚 support in helping Kosovo and Serbia to do this, and I hope the offer will be accepted. I reaffirm the UK鈥檚 support for the EU perspective of Serbia and Kosovo.鈥�