The UN's International Court of Justice sits for a ruling on Kosovo's unilateral secession from Serbia at the Peace Palace in The Hague on Thursday. (Jerry Lampen/Reuters)

The United Nations' highest court said Thursday that Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia did not break international law.

The non-binding opinion, passed in a 10-4 vote by court judges, sets the stage for Kosovo to renew its appeals for further international recognition. The tiny Balkan country has been recognized by 69 countries, including Canada, the United States and most European Union nations.

It needs recognition by 100 countries for full statehood. Serbia and Russia lead a handful of others in staunchly condemning Kosovo's independence.

'A great day for Kosovo'

Reading the opinion Thursday, International Court of Justice president Hisashi Owada said international law contains no "prohibition on declarations of independence" and therefore Kosovo's declaration "did not violate general international law."

"This is a great day for Kosovo, and my message to the government of Serbia is 'Come and talk to us,'" said Kosovo's Foreign Minister Skender Hyseni, after leaving the court.

Kosovo sparked sharp debate worldwide when it seceded from Serbia in 2008, following a bloody 1998-99 war with Serbia and nearly a decade of international administration.

Owada made the statement midway through his reading of the court's lengthy opinion.

Serbia's ultranationalist Radical Party said the court "gravely violated" international law, and called on the government to demand an urgent session of the UN Security Council to end the EU peacekeeping mission in Kosovo.

NATO-led troops increased their presence in the Serb-controlled part of Mitrovica, a divided town in northern Kosovo.