Romania will not recognize the independence of Kosovo despite Thursday’s advisory ruling of the UN court which says the February 2008 declaration does not violate internationl law.

Romania’s position was expressed in a statement Friday by its Foreign Ministry. Romania is one of the five EU member states – together Spain, Slovakia, Cyprus, and Greece – which has not recognized Kosovo.

The Romanian Foreign Ministry expressed its respect for international law and the International Court of Justice but has pointed out its conviction that the ICJ’s reading into the matter was too narrow.

Thus, according to Romania’s government, the advisory opinion was solely treating the legality of the declaration of independence with respect to international law rather than the legal consequences of this move, i.e. the creation of a new state.

The Chair of the ICJ, which passed the Kosovo ruling with a 10-4 vote, has made it clear that the advisory decision was designed to answer the question posed to the Court by the UN General Assembly which referred the issue to it on Serbia’s initiative.

The authorities in Bucharest have urged Serbia and Kosovo to continue their dialogue in order to find a solution to their dispute that would satisfy the interests of both parties, and will provide for a stability and the EU future of the region.