Latest News

Tony Blair welcomes ICJ ruling that Kosovo's independence does not violate international law

Tony Blair today welcomed the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) ruling that Kosovo’s declaration of independence from Serbia in February 2008 does not violate international law.

Announcing the decision, the court of justice president, Hisashi Owada, said international law contains no "prohibition on declarations of independence".

Speaking just a fortnight after a high profile two-day visit to the country, Tony Blair, said: “This groundbreaking ruling is an historic day for this young country. I have always said that Kosovo’s independence was right. Kosovo’s independence is a fact. And Kosovo’s independence will endure.

“It is a state that belongs not to one group or one religion. It is for all the people of Kosovo and I hope that one day soon the Europe’s newest country can become the European Union’s newest member.”

Key considerations that the UN's top court examined have focused on issues of sovereignty, the slim volume of precedent in international law, and how formerly large states such as the USSR broke up along administrative borders.

The long-awaited ruling - which the court took up after a complaint to the UN from Serbia - is now likely to lead to more countries recognising Kosovo's independence and move Pristina closer to entry into the UN. At present, Kosovo's statehood is backed by 69 countries but it requires more than 100 before it can join the UN.