Kosovo hopes for statehood ruling

The International Court of Justice is set to rule on Thursday on the legality of Kosovo’s independence from Serbia in 2008, nine years after Nato bombed Serb forces to halt the killing of civilians in the two-year counter-insurgency war between Serbs and ethnic Albanians.

The non-binding ruling could affect separatist movements around the world, as well as Serbia’s stalled EU membership talks.

Without compromise with Serbia, Kosovo’s northern border, the shortest route to the European Union market, would remain blocked by its old adversary.

Al Jazeera’s Tim Friend reports.