There are at least 96 separatist movements worldwide fighting for independence – in Spain (Catalonia, The Basque Country), France (Corsica), UK (Northern Ireland), Germany (Bavaria), Belgium and in many other parts of the world.

In Cyprus, the Turks proclaimed an independent state, recognized by Ankara only so far, while at the same time the Kurds have been fighting for 25 years for autonomy in southeastern Anatolia.

In Asia, Taiwan and Tibet are fighting for independence from China, Muslims are fighting for the separation of Kashmir from India, while the Tamilians are demanding a state in Sri Lanka.

Even since Kosovo declared independence there was talk about a potential domino effect and it is this fear that may have led certain European countries (Spain, Romania, Greece, Slovakia and Cyprus) not to recognise it.

Yesterday's decision by the Hague's Court of Justice could fuel more fears, even though Kosovo's president Fatmir Sejdiu quickly stated that it ''does not set a precedent'' for others who want independence. Here are a few examples.

CATALONIA: in a recent survey almost 50% of the people of the region supported independence. And there is still a widespread idea of 'nation' in the region, but Madrid's Constitutional Court rejected as not legally sustainable the notion of Catalonia as a 'nation'.

BASQUE COUNTRY: The Basque Country in northern Spain is an independent community with a strong urge for independence. Eta, a separatist group deemed to be a terrorist organisation, is still active in the land.

CORSICA: France is not part of the EU Countries that did not recognise Kosovo's independence, but it still has an unsolved issue with Corsica which, despite 240 years of French rule, is still leaning in part towards autonomy and independence.

CYPRUS: the Court's ruling could also be appealed by Turkish Cypriots of the self-proclaimed (after Turkey's
military intervention in 1974) Turkish Republic of North Cyprus (TRNC).The Turkish Cypriots represent 18% of the total population of the divided island. The Republic of Cyprus, of Greek majority, became a Member State of the European Union on 1 May 2004.