The United Nations International Court of Justice says 
Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence from 
Serbia in 2008 did not violate international law.

That non-binding opinion was issued Thursday in The 
Hague.  It is expected to clear the way for more countries 
to extend formal recognition to the government in Pristina.

Kosovo Foreign Minister Skender Hyseni, who spoke to 
reporters after the court session, called the 
ruling "great news for Europe."  He said it "affirmed that 
the people of Kosovo did the right thing."

The U.S. State Department also hailed the decision, saying 
it is now time for the region "to unite behind a common 
future."

Sixty-nine countries, including the United States and more 
than 20 European Union governments, have recognized the 
declaration.  Serbia and traditional ally Russia -- a 
permanent member of the U.N. Security Council -- have led 
opposition to it.

The government in Belgrade asked the 15-member court to 
rule on the declaration, and argued last year that it 
undermined world order.  Serbian lawyers told the court 
the declaration would, if upheld, set a dangerous 
precedent and encourage secessionist movements elsewhere 
in the world.    

However, ICJ President Hisashi Owada, who read the lengthy 
ruling aloud Thursday, said international law contains no 
prohibitions against such declarations.

Ahead of the ruling, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden 
affirmed U.S. support for Kosovo's independence, in 
telephone talks with Serbian President Boris Tadic.  Biden 
urged the Serbian government to work constructively to 
resolve practical issues with Kosovo.  He said that kind 
of cooperation will improve the lives of people in Kosovo, 
Serbia and the greater Balkans.

Kosovo was placed under U.N. supervision in 1999, 
following a 78-day NATO bombing campaign that stopped a 
deadly crackdown by Belgrade in what was then a Serbian 
province.  The Pristina government formally declared its 
independence on February 17, 2008.