The International Court of Justice ruled on Thursdays that Kosovo's unilateral secession from Serbia in 2008 did not violate international law.
The ICJ's opinion was read out by court president Hisashi Owada.
The United Nations General Assembly in October 2008 accepted the initiative launched by the authorities in Belgrade to have the World Court, as the primary UN judicial organ, give its opinion about the legality of Kosovo's independence.
The United States and most other Western states (a total of 69 nations) recognised Kosovo's February 2008 declaration of independence but Serbia rejected it, as did its ally Russia, a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council.
Belgrade has refused to recognise Kosovo's independence move and the dispute has held up its EU membership talks and hindered its ability to attract foreign investment.
Although non-binding, the court's ruling will provide a framework for diplomats to try and establish a working relationship between Serbia and Kosovo.
