Jeremic: Belgrade expects Kosovo negotiations

The top UN court will give its advisory opinion on the legality under international law of the Kosovo Albanian unilateral declaration made in early 2008, which Serbia rejects as an illegal act of secession.

Jeremic said that Serbia expects that new negotiations would be possible after the ICJ opinion is given.

"We believe that a solution of compromise on the future status of Kosovo is necessary for long-term and sustainable peace and stability in the Balkans, and negotiations are the only way to reach such a solution, therefore, Thursday would be an important day for international order," Jeremic said.

Kosovo Albanian Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, however, who is currently in Washington meeting with U.S. officials, said that he expects that the ICJ decision would support "Kosovo's independence".

However, he said that regardless of the decision, "Kosovo's independence is now irreversible and not up for discussion".

Meanwhile, International Crisis Group (ICG) Balkan Director Marko Prelec said that the EU would try to use the ICJ decision to improve relations between Belgrade and Pristina, which are needed for the European integration of the region.

"Many countries are waiting for the ICJ opinion in order to make a decision on recognizing Kosovo. Some of these governments will act as soon as they hear the decision, which will be that the independence should be recognized," Prelec was quoted.

In The Hague, ICJ Secretary Andrey Poskakukhin said that all countries that participated in the debate before the ICJ in the Kosovo case are expected to be present for the decision.

There are more than 80 journalists, television crews and photographers from all around the world that would be following the reading of the ruling, scheduled for 15:00 CET on Thursday.