The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said on Thursday that the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) latest decision on Kosovo's independence should be considered as a new window of opportunity for establishing peace, stability and cooperation in the Balkans.

Releasing a written statement, the MFA commented on ICJ's much-awaited advisory opinion which stated that "Kosovo's declaration of independence was legal under international law".

"ICJ's opinion should be considered as a new window of opportunity for the establishment of lasting peace and stability in the Balkans as well as for the enhancement of regional cooperation, and reading the decision from that perspective would certainly serve the common good of the region," the MFA said.

The ministry also noted that Turkey expected ICJ's opinion to give a fresh impetus to the efforts that aimed at developing a positive and constructive dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, adding Turkey was ready to extend its full support to this effect.

Noting Turkey was among the first countries to have recognized Kosovo, the MFA said, "preservation of Kosovo's territorial integrity and its political and social structure built on democratic values is of great importance".

"Integration with the European and Euro-Atlantic structures, which is determined as the main objective of the region, offers a sound basis in this context," the ministry added.

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