Instant view: World Court's Kosovo ruling

THE HAGUE (Reuters) - Kosovo's unilateral secession from Serbia in 2008 did not violate international law, the World Court said on Thursday in a case that could have implications for separatist movements everywhere.

The ruling is likely to lead to more countries recognising Kosovo's independence and move Pristina closer to entry to the United Nations. Following is a sampling of reactions:

SERBIAN PRESIDENT BORIS TADIC

"Serbia will never recognize the unilaterally proclaimed independence of Kosovo."

"The government will now consider further steps."

U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY CLINTON:

"We call on all states to move beyond the issue of Kosovo's status and engage constructively in support of peace and stability in the Balkans, and we call on those states that have not yet done so to recognize Kosovo."

RUSSIAN ENVOY TO NATO DMITRY ROGOZIN

"The legal debates about Kosovo's independence will continue."

"We will not accept the splitting of a country that is a member of the United Nations. On principle we consider Serbia a unified whole," he said.

SERGEI BAGAPSH, PRESIDENT OF THE RUSSIAN-BACKED BREAKAWAY GEORGIAN REGION OF ABKHAZIA

"The decision of the International Court once more confirms the right of Abkhazia and South Ossetia to self-rule."

"And from a historic and legal point of view, Abkhazia and South Ossetia have much more right to independence than Kosovo."

BOSNIAN SERB PRIME MINISTER MILORAD DODIK

"The opinion of the International Court of Justice on Kosovo independence is a disappointing move and yet another sign that legal violence against Serbs and Serb states is continuing."

"This is a new humiliation of Serbia and a new message to the Serbs that politics of violence is successful and that politics of legal violence could help legalize issues that have been impossible so far."

BOSNIAN SERB MAIN OPPOSITION LEADER MLADEN IVANIC

"The ICJ's ruling is a tragic decision that will have very negative consequences in the long run. Such a ruling will encourage separatist movements in the world and everyone will be lead by the logic: If Albanians in Kosovo can do it, we can do it as well. The main message from this ruling is: organize the army, enter war, be persistent and (you) will get independence. This will discourage all those people in the Balkans who have tried to be reasonable."

DESANKA MAJKIC, BOSNIAN SERB SPEAKER OF UPPER HOUSE OF BOSNIA'S CENTRAL PARLIAMENT

"The Serb Republic has its territory, population and government, thus all elements in place to follow the Kosovo-like path if it decides so. Regardless of how painful the ruling is, we may interpret it in the way that the Serb Republic, if it decides to do so, may find a similar way and receive the support just like Kosovo in this case."

ALBANIAN PRESIDENT BAMIR TOPI

"I wish the decision serves as an appeal to all those countries, which have not yet recognized it, but also other countries that are skeptical and have recognized it partly, to build real relationships politically, diplomatically and in other sectors."

GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER GUIDO WESTERWELLE

"The ICJ's ruling confirms our view that the declaration of independence was legal. It supports our view that the independence and territorial integrity of Kosovo are irrefutable facts.

JERZY BUZEK, PRESIDENT, EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

"The International Court of Justice has shown its strong commitment to promoting international peace and stability, with regard to what the EU perceives to be a sui generis case."

CYPRUS FOREIGN MINISTRY STATEMENT

The ministry noted "that the argumentation used by the Court differentiates the issue of Cyprus from that of Kosovo."

"Cyprus would like to reiterate its position of principle on the issue of Kosovo and reaffirm its unwavering position of respect to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia, which includes the Kosovo and Metohija province."

ANDERS FOGH RASMUSSEN, NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL

"This Advisory Opinion does not affect KFOR's mandate: KFOR will continue to implement its mandate to maintain a safe and secure environment in an impartial manner throughout Kosovo, for the benefit of all communities, majority and minority alike."

EDWIN BAKKER, HEAD OF SECURITY AND CONFLICT PROGRAMME AT CLINGENDAEL NETHERLANDS INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS:

"I agree this ruling will strengthen separatists around the globe."

"The cases that are somehow comparable to the Kosovo case are also limited: Burma (Karen, Shan), Iraq (Kurdistan - although currently there is no repression from Baghdad), India (Kashmir).

"Perhaps Somaliland may feel that this ruling is helpful to them. Several European cases (Basques, Cyprus) are not really comparable, although I believe that this ruling will keep the flame of hope of an independent state alive among some of the more radical separatist elements in these countries.

"The most interesting question after today is what Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Slovakia and Romania will do vis a vis Kosovo. Will they follow their European partners in recognising Kosovo? My expectation is that they will postpone that step as long as possible and wait and see what will happen within the UN."

MILOS SOLAJA, DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS IN BANJA LUKA, BOSNIA

"The ruling is obviously not in accordance to what Serbia has expected, although there is still space for further discussions. One thing is that they have the right to ask for independence and another thing what they can get within the framework of the international system.

"It is quite clear that the ruling is opening the issue of national sovereignty of some territories in southeastern Europe. It will certainly have effects on Bosnia and Republika Srpska, where such requests are set to increase. The ruling will bring new instability in the region."

STEVEN GROVES, ANALYST AT THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION IN WASHINGTON:

"They're not saying, 'Hey ... we endorse what you're doing.' They're not saying that. They're not saying that if you do what you do then whoever you're declaring independence from doesn't have the ability or perhaps the power or the right to try to maintain control over that territory and go to war over it. All they're saying is that the fact that you did it does not violate international law."

(Reporting by Reuters bureaux, editing by Philippa Fletcher)