The International Court of Justice is due to rule on the legality of Kosovo's unilateral secession from Serbia. Judges will issue a non-binding ruling on Serbia's claim that Kosovo's declaration of independence was a violation of its territorial integrity. If the ICJ sides with Serbia, Kosovo could be pushed into negotiating a settlement. The opposite could see more countries recognising its independence.
Earlier, the US reaffirmed its "full support" for an independent Kosovo. Kosovo's representatives meanwhile warned that any attempt to reverse its independence might spark further conflict.
Although non-binding, the court's ruling will provide a framework for diplomats to try to establish a working relationship between Serbia and Kosovo.
The dispute remains an obstacle to Serbia's hopes of joining the EU, and has hindered Kosovo's ability to attract foreign investment. Parts of northern Kosovo also remain tensely divided between ethnic Albanians and Serbs, and clashes occasionally erupt. The ruling will also be closely watched by several other countries facing secessionist challenges themselves, such as China and Spain.
"The first and foremost consideration for any democratic government in the world is the preservation of its own sovereignty and territorial integrity," Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic told the BBC. "We do expect that the court is not going to endorse the legality of the unilateral act of secession, because if they do so then no border anywhere in the world where a secessionist ambition is harboured will ever be safe."
So far 69 of the UN's 192 countries are in favour of recognition. They include the US, UK, neighbouring Albania and Croatia. Those opposed include Russia, China and Bosnia.
