Romanian Foreign Ministry Restates Non-Recognition Of Kosovo Independence

The Foreign Ministry argues the Court’s analysis was limited to the legality of the act of declaration itself, as per the UN General Assembly’s question: „Is the unilateral declaration of independence by the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government of Kosovo in accordance with international law?”

According to the Ministry, the Court’s opinion states it does not refer to the declaration’s consequences – whether or not the province of Kosovo is a state, or the validity or legal effects of the province’s recognition as a state: „The Court clearly points out that it cannot examine – because it is outside the question as posed – the applicability of the right to self-determination in this case.”

Romania’s Foreign Ministry expresses its hope that dialogue between the authorities in Belgrade and Pristina will resume and that a solution serving the interests of both parties will be found, with a view towards the region’s stability and European aspirations.

The International Court of Justice ruled that Kosovo’s declaration of independence was not in violation of international law, in an advisory opinion issued Thursday. The Serbian province of Kosovo has a population of two million people, 90% of them Albanians. Its independence, unilaterally declared in 2008, has been recognized by 69 countries, including the United States and 22 of the European Union’s 27 members.