Comparative Analysis of Two Basic Principles of International Law - Territorial Integrity of State and Selfdetermination of Nations on Example of Kosovo and Abkhazia

Abstract

The main goal of the research is to analyze in details and present the two basic principles of internationallaw - the right to self-determination of nations and territorial integrity of the state on the example of theKosovo and Abkhazia conflicts. In particular, a significant part of the paper is devoted to the legalassessment of the Kosovo and Abkhazian conflicts and revealing the main differences that are linked tothe legal aspects of Kosovo conflict, on the one hand, and the conflict in Abkhazia, on the other hand.The article focuses on a detailed analysis of facts why the West, particularly North Atlantic TreatyOrganization (NATO) 3 involvement in the Kosovo conflict and recognition of Kosovo's independence bythe majority of the international community is partly legitimate and, on the other hand, from theinternational legal and political viewpoints, Russia's involvement in the Abkhazian conflict and therecognition of the so-called "independence" of Abkhazia has no legal basis at all. The final part of thework discusses what the international community should do in the future regarding the protection of theprinciples of international law.