UN envoy in Kosovo stresses need for dialogue to resolve outstanding issues

"The issuance of the ICJ opinion, therefore, should now open a new phase and allow Belgrade and Pristina to engage in a constructive dialogue with a view to the resolution of these issues," said Mr. Zannier, adding that this dialogue would be very important for the stability and the development of the region.

He also noted that the UN's preliminary legal assessment is that the opinion does not affect the status of UNMIK, or its status-neutral policy.

Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic said  that ‘Debate at the UN General Assembly over resolution proposed by Serbia is an opportunity that the member countries unite over a clear message. If not, a universally applicable precedent of a model of unilateral secession shall be established.'

In reference to the advisory opinion by the ICJ, Vuk Jeremic said that the court ‘clearly confirmed that Kosovo remains under the UN administration on the basis of the UN SC Resolution 1244 and the UNMIK Constitutional frame. That means that Kosovo remains a territory under international regime on the basis of the UN SC mandate.

‘The court has chosen to narrowly investigate the language of unilateral declaration on independence and such strictly technical approach led to a conclusion that the declaration itself has not violated the international law. That unfortunately made room to dangerous and wrong interpretations that the court by its opinion has legalized unilateral secession by Kosovo Albanians', Jeremic warned.

‘Permanent solutions always call for an agreement. It is unthinkable that unilaterally proclaimed independence is a ground for normalization of relations between the Serbs and Albanians', Jeremic added.

Kosovo's Foreign Minister Skender Hyseni said the ICJ's opinion was "explicit and clear and leaves no room for doubt." He told the council the time has come to replace U.N. Resolution 1244, which established the U.N. Interim Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), with a new resolution reflecting the realities of Kosovo's independence.  "Our request for replacement of 1244 is in line with Kosovo's ultimate objective of becoming a U.N. member. Membership with the United Nations is a goal we eagerly look forward to achieve as soon as possible, a natural step after the ICJ ruling," he said.

Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin, alluded to its veto power in the Security Council on resolutions and U.N. membership.

"I would not hold one's breath in expectation that 1244 is going to be changed, or modified or repealed," Churkin said after the council meeting, adding that new members must also be recommended by the Security Council.