Azerbaijan: Baku Backs Idea of a Serbia-Controlled Kosovo

At a December 3 hearing at the International Court of Justice, Azerbaijan supported Serbia's bid to bring Kosovo back into its fold.

The December 1-11 public hearings, essentially an exchange between backers and opponents of Kosovo's independence, have been watched closely in the South Caucasus, where both Azerbaijan and Georgia are grappling with separatist issues.

The court, which operates under the auspices of the United Nations, is looking into the legal grounds for Kosovo's secession from Serbia. It will render an "advisory opinion" on the issue to the UN General Assembly.

Georgia has refused to recognize Kosovo's independence; Tbilisi has seen its own separatist territories -- South Ossetia and Abkhazia -- recognized by Russia, Venezuela and Nicaragua as independent states.

With breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh in mind, Azerbaijan reiterated that it views separation of Kosovo as a violation of international law, the RIA-Novosti news agency reported. Belarus, which is closely watched for a decision on recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, has echoed Baku's objections.