The United Nations' highest court says it will issue its advisory opinion next week on whether Kosovo's 2008 unilateral declaration of independence breached international law, AP reported. The nonbinding ruling by the International Court of Justice will be watched closely in Kosovo and Serbia, where tensions still run high over the independence declaration. Many Serbs consider Kosovo to be the cradle of their nation. Kosovo has been recognized as an independent state by 69 countries, including the United States and most EU nations. Other countries with separatist elements, such as Spain, also will closely monitor the court's ruling. The world court said in a statement Wednesday it will deliver its opinion at a public hearing on July 22. -- SPA
