On 22 July, the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion on Kosovo's declaration of independence. The ICJ ruled that a declaration of independence does not violate any UN resolution or international law if the UN has not expressis verbis prohibited such a declaration of independence in a UN resolution. The ICJ court's ruling will have an influence on the Karabakh conflict, since it provides more legal clarity on the interpretation of peoples' right to self-determination.

"Everybody who has ever been to Karabakh in recent years knows that the people there have been so traumatised, they only trust themselves. They would all rather defend their security with arms than trust anyone to govern them. The conflicting parties and the international players involved need to reflect these de facto and the new de jure aspects in their actions", commented EuFoA Secretary General, Michael Kambeck. Today, the administration of Nagorno-Karabakh and several political actors enthusiastically welcomed the ICJ ruling, and also a public reaction in Stepanakert can be expected.

The ICJ ruling was also welcomed by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, European Friends of Armenia AISBL reported.