Azerbaijan, Baku, 20 February / Trend corr. A. Gasimova / General Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, Secretary of the Organization of Islamic Conference's (OIC), declared the Organization's solidarity with and supports the Kosovo, after it declared its independence on 18 Feb2008.
After Kosovo declared its independence, Belgrade declared the act for independence of the province to be invalid and called on the international community to cancel it, as it contradicts with the international laws. Russia, on its part, demanded the self-declaration of Kosovo's independence to be cancelled and the security of that part of the population of Kosovo, which do not recognize its independence, to be guaranteed.
"Kosovo has finally declared its independence, after a long and determined struggle by its people. As we rejoice this happy result, we declare our solidarity with and support our brothers and sisters out there. OIC wishes them success in their new battle awaiting them, which is building of a strong and prosperous state capable of satisfying its own people," Ihsanoglu said, according to the OIC Press Service.