Kosovo, an ethnic Albanian-dominated Serb province, declared independence on Sunday despite fervent opposition from Serbia.

The Serbian government adopted a resolution Thursday, declaring any unilateral move to be null and void as Kosovo's independence violates Serbia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Serbia will never recognise the independence of Kosovo, President Boris Tadic said in a statement as the breakaway province declared independence Sunday.

Serbia has reiterated to insist on the two principles to solve Kosovo's future status: one is to recognize Kosovo as part of Serbia in accordance with the UN Security Council resolution 1244; the second is that Serbia rejects a unilateral declaration of independence of its breakaway province of Kosovo or similar activities.

However, the predominantly Albanians demand outright independence instead of maximum autonomy offered by Serbia. Kosovo's Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said in Brussels on Jan. 24 that Kosovo was ready to declare independence in coming days.

The future status of Kosovo not only has direct ties with Serbs and Kosovo's ethnic Albanians, but also link with interests of the United States, Russia and the European Union.

The United States has backed Kosovo's independence and claimed that Kosovo's independence will help ensure the stability in the Balkans.

U.S. State Department spokesman Gonzalo Gallegos said in December that his country supports Kosovo's independence and will continue to make close cooperation with its allies to promote the settlement of the Kosovo's status.

On Feb. 13, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said that U.S. President George W. Bush has long held a position that Kosovo should be able to move forward, and should be supported by the international community in seeking independence.

Russia firmly opposes a unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo, saying that Kosovo's independence violates international laws and has negative effect in the Balkans and the world as well.

On Feb. 14, Russian President Vladimir Putin said support for Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence is "immoral" and "illegal."

The 27-nation EU has remained divided over whether or not to recognize Kosovo's independence, with Cyprus, Greece and Spain among others expressing their objections to it.

Kosovo is a southern autonomous province within Serbia before the breakup of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Among its population of 2 million, over 90 percent are ethnic Albanians and Serbs make up about 7 percent.

The independence-seeking province has been run by the UN mission since NATO drove the Serbian troops out of it in 1999.