Kosovo unilaterally proclaimed independence on Feb. 17, 2008, and four years since the Kosovo Parliament approved the declaration, Kosovo's independence has been recognized by 87 member states of the United Nations.

The Independence Declaration, which the Kosovo Parliament approved by acclamation, states that an independent Kosovo will be "dedicated to peace and stability," and that the Kosovo state will be "formed on the basis of the Martti Ahtisaari Plan."

The U.N. General Assembly, at Serbia's request, on Oct. 8, 2008, adopted a resolution which asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague to answer the question: Is the unilateral proclamation of independence by the temporary institutions of self-governance in Kosovo in accordance with international law?

On July 22, 2010, the ICJ ruled that the unilateral proclamation of Kosovo's independence had not violated international law, Resolution 1244 or the international legal system in Kosovo. The advisory opinion of the ICJ has no binding effect.

The countries of the Balkans, except Bosnia-Herzegovina, and 22 European Union member states are among the 87 countries which recognize Kosovo as an independent state.