Prishtina, 19 June, 2025
The acting Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, today received Professor Hisashi Owada, former President of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), in a meeting, whom he thanked for the visit and expressed his highest respect for his extraordinary contribution to the field of international law.
At the meeting, Prime Minister Kurti highlighted the key role of Professor Owada in the ICJ Advisory Opinion of July 22, 2010, which found that Kosovo’s declaration of independence on February 17, 2008, did not constitute a violation of international law.
Professor Owada, thanking the Prime Minister for the reception at the Government, emphasized that the ICJ Opinion was an expression of his conscience and sense of justice, adding that it was natural for the Court to decide on the right side.
During the meeting, the importance of deepening solidarity between democratic states, such as Kosovo and Japan, was emphasized. Prime Minister Kurti expressed the will and intention of the Government of Kosovo to further advance the excellent cooperation between the two countries.
Professor Owada welcomed this commitment and expressed his readiness, in his personal capacity, to contribute to the further strengthening of cooperation between Kosovo and Japan.
The University of Pristina yesterday awarded the high title “Doctor Honoris Causa” to Professor Hisashi Owada for his extraordinary academic contribution, lifelong commitment in the field of international justice and the promotion of global peace.
