Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 03/2011

The Kosovo Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice and its Political Consequences

Pál Dunay, Steven Haines

October 2010

The Geneva Centre for Security Policy

Abstract

On 22 July 2010, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) delivered its Advisory Opinion on whether the unilateral declaration of independence by the Provisional Institutions of Self Government of Kosovo was in accordance with international law. The Court did not deliberate on the legality of the statehood of Kosovo. Its Advisory Opinion addressed the declaration of independence and concluded that it was not contrary to general international law.