UNITED NATIONS, Oct 08, 2008 (Xinhua via COMTEX News Network) -- The UN General Assembly adopted on Wednesday a resolution approving Serbia's request for the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to rule on whether Kosovo 's unilateral declaration of independence was legal.

The Serbia-drafted resolution was approved by a vote of 77 in favor, six against and 74 abstentions.

"Serbia believes ... this is a great day for international law, " Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic told the 192-member body after the vote.

Jeremic thanked member states who have supported the resolution, praising them for "upholding the very foundational principles of international law and the UN Charter."

"We look forward to continuing to work constructively with the Organization of the United Nations and all member states in regarding to the process to do with the future status of our sovereign province (of Kosovo)," he said.

The non-binding resolution asks the ICJ to "render an advisory opinion on the following question: 'Is the unilateral declaration of independence by the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government of Kosovo in accordance with international law?'"

Most countries of the 27-member European Union abstained in the vote. The United States voted negatively.

Kosovo, which is dominated by ethnic Albanians, unilaterally declared independence from Serbia with Western backing on Feb. 17, nine years after UN administration since 1999. It has since won recognition from more than 40 countries, including the United States and most EU countries.