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22.07.2010 13:40
 The UN's highest court will give its verdict today on the legality of Kosovo's 2008 declaration of independence from Serbia.
The United Nations General Assembly asked the court later that year to clarify the issue, based on a request from Serbia, and the court held hearings last December. Serbia maintains Kosovo's independence is illegal and that it remains a part of the Serbian republic, according to the CNN.
Thursday's verdict will be an advisory opinion, not a judgment, a court spokeswoman said. Advisory opinions have no binding effect and the General Assembly will remain free to decide what action to take.
Such opinions still carry great legal weight, however, and Thursday's verdict could set the tone for Kosovo's future relations with other countries.
The court considered written statements from 36 U.N.-member states, including Serbia, along with Kosovo.
Since the declaration of independence, many countries, including the United States and United Kingdom, have recognized Kosovo as an independent state. Many countries such as Russia, China, neighboring Bosnia, and European nations like Spain and Greece have not, however.
The General Assembly made its request for clarification after Serbian President Boris Tadic told members that Kosovo's "unilateral, illegal, illegitimate" move meant "the very nature of the international system has been called into question."
Serbia then put forward a resolution to ask the International Court for an advisory opinion, and member states voted overwhelmingly in favor of it in October 2008.
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