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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| UN seeks World Court Kosovo view | UN seeks World Court Kosovo view |
| (1 day later) | |
| The UN General Assembly has voted to refer Kosovo's independence declaration to the International Court of Justice. | The UN General Assembly has voted to refer Kosovo's independence declaration to the International Court of Justice. |
| The ICJ will be asked to give an advisory, non-binding opinion on the legality of Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia in February. | The ICJ will be asked to give an advisory, non-binding opinion on the legality of Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia in February. |
| Seventy-seven countries voted in favour, six against and 74 abstained. | Seventy-seven countries voted in favour, six against and 74 abstained. |
| Serbia and Russia say Kosovo acted illegally. Nearly 50 countries - including the US and most of the EU - have recognised it as independent. | |
| However, more than 140 countries have not. | |
| Serbia argued that asking the ICJ to give its opinion would actually reduce tensions and promote reconciliation. | Serbia argued that asking the ICJ to give its opinion would actually reduce tensions and promote reconciliation. |
| Many countries who voted in favour said this was not a political decision but a legal one, and every state had a right to ask the court for an opinion. | Many countries who voted in favour said this was not a political decision but a legal one, and every state had a right to ask the court for an opinion. |
| But the large number of abstentions shows that other countries saw this as highly political, the BBC's Laura Trevelyan reports from New York. | But the large number of abstentions shows that other countries saw this as highly political, the BBC's Laura Trevelyan reports from New York. |
| For the 48 countries which have recognised Kosovo but support the court this was a tricky vote, she says. The US voted against, calling this an unnecessary and unhelpful move. | For the 48 countries which have recognised Kosovo but support the court this was a tricky vote, she says. The US voted against, calling this an unnecessary and unhelpful move. |
| Most EU countries abstained - Britain called Serbia's request primarily political. | Most EU countries abstained - Britain called Serbia's request primarily political. |
| But the EU was split, with Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Greece and Cyprus voting in favour. They all said international law should be respected. | But the EU was split, with Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Greece and Cyprus voting in favour. They all said international law should be respected. |
| It could take up to two years for the court to issue its opinion. | It could take up to two years for the court to issue its opinion. |