Mousa Ml. Elbasha, LLD

Department of Law

University of the Americas Puebla, Puebla, Mexico

UDK: 323.1:342.25(497.115)

Primljeno: 12.06.2010.

Pregledni naučni članak

A LEGAL EXAMINATION OF KOSOVO'S INDEPENDENCE

In conformance with the principles of international law governing the rights of national ethnic minorities, the Kosovar Albanians are entitled to the right of self-administration but not the right to self-determination. Furthermore, this author would argue that the recent unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo is illegitimate and under international law must be considered an assault on the sovereignty of the Republic of Serbia and a violation of its territorial integrity.

Key words: Kosovo and Metohia, Serbia, declaration of independence, sovereignty, international law, ethnic minorities