OTTAWA, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- Serbia's ambassador to Canada has urged Ottawa not to recognize the independence of Kosovo, warning the recognition by some countries is setting a "worldwide dangerous precedent."

    "If we accept this kind of violation of international law, the whole international order is at stake," Dusan Batakovic was quoted as saying during an interview with Canadian Press.

    Canada has not responded to Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia. A Foreign Ministry spokesman said Wednesday "we're continuing to follow events closely."

    "We think that democratic solutions through compromise and negotiations are the only way out," the Serbian ambassador said.

    Kosovo's declaration of independence, without the approval of Serbia or the UN Security Council, is "illegitimate, and, under international law, completely null and void," he stressed.

    Kosovo, the breakaway province of Serbia, has been under the UN administration since 1999, and unilaterally declared its independence from Serbia on Feb. 17.

    Canada itself is grappling with separatist movements. In 1980 and 1995, Quebec separatists held and lost two referendums on breaking away from Canada. Federalists narrowly won the second ballot.