(CNN) -- The International Court of Justice planned to issue a verdict Thursday on whether Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia in February 2008 was legal.
The United Nations General Assembly asked the court later that year to clarify the issue, based on a request from Serbia, and the court held hearings last December. Serbia maintains Kosovo's independence is illegal and that it remains a part of the Serbian republic.
Thursday's verdict will be an advisory opinion, not a judgment, a court spokeswoman said. Advisory opinions have no binding effect and the General Assembly will remain free to decide what action to take.
Such opinions still carry great legal weight, however, and Thursday's verdict could set the tone for Kosovo's future relations with other countries.
The court considered written statements from 36 U.N.-member states, including Serbia, along with Kosovo.
CNN
