AZERBAIJAN: BAKU BACKS IDEA OF A SERBIA-CONTROLLED KOSOVO

Eurasianet
Dec 4 2009
NY

At a December 3 hearing at the International Court of Justice,
Azerbaijan supported Serbia’s bid to bring Kosovo back into its fold.

The December 1-11 public hearings, essentially an exchange between
backers and opponents of Kosovo’s independence, have been watched
closely in the South Caucasus, where both Azerbaijan and Georgia are
grappling with separatist issues.

The court, which operates under the auspices of the United Nations, is
looking into the legal grounds for Kosovo’s secession from Serbia. It
will render an "advisory opinion" on the issue to the UN General
Assembly.

Georgia has refused to recognize Kosovo’s independence; Tbilisi has
seen its own separatist territories — South Ossetia and Abkhazia —
recognized by Russia, Venezuela and Nicaragua as independent states.

With breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh in mind, Azerbaijan reiterated that it
views separation of Kosovo as a violation of international law, the
RIA-Novosti news agency reported. Belarus, which is closely watched
for a decision on recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, has
echoed Baku’s objections.