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The Wall Street Journal

Top U.N. Court Affirms Kosovo Independence

By GORDON FAIRCLOUGH

The United Nations' highest court ruled Thursday that Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia is legal—a major victory for the fledgling Balkan state and one that could strengthen aspirations for more autonomy among ethnic minorities around the world, from Basques in Spain to Uighurs in China.

International law contains no "prohibition on declarations of independence," said Hisashi Owada, president of the International Court of Justice, reading from the court's majority opinion in The Hague.

The judges' decision isn't legally binding. But it has significant political weight and could raise the likelihood that more countries will extend diplomatic recognition to Kosovo and increase the pressure on Serbia to reach some accomodation with what it considers a breakaway province.

"This potentially opens up a new phase," said Richard Gowan, a politics and security specialist at the European Council on Foreign Relations. "Hopefully, both Kosovo and Serbia will recognize it's time for compromise." Click here for more.