Norway welcomes the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice in the Kosovo Proceedings

Norway welcomes the clear advisory opinion delivered today by the International Court of Justice in The Hague on the question of the Accordance with International Law of the Unilateral Declaration of Independence by the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government of Kosovo (request for advisory opinion).

In support of the international rule of law, Norway voted in favour of the request from the General Assembly of the United Nations for an advisory opinion in this matter and participated in the proceedings. 

The advisory opinion contains an in-depth analysis of a number of important issues of public international law. The Court has fully confirmed that the Kosovo Declaration of Independence of 17 February 2008 did not contravene international law.

Norway shares the extremely restrictive view expressed by many States with regard to the existence of any right of secession in international law. However, the particular sequence of events in Kosovo has given rise to a unique set of circumstances.

“We reiterate our full support to the principles of the United Nations Charter and to the International Court of Justice, which is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. I welcome this important advisory opinion by the Court. We now call on the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Kosovo to take fully part in the project of helping the region to put its troubled past behind it”, said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

Norway recognised the Republic of Kosovo on 28 March 2008.