[5] In most cases, the only avenue open to self-determination for colonial or national ethnic minority populations was to achieve international legal personality as a nation-state.

They agreed among themselves to criteria that made it easier for other dependent states with limited sovereignty to gain international recognition.

[7] An important part of the convention was a prohibition of using military force to gain sovereignty.

[9] The Montevideo Convention codified several existing legal norms and principles, which apply to all subjects of international law.

While they play an important role, fulfilling its criteria do not automatically create a state because additional requirements must be met.

The status of countries such as Kosovo and Somaliland largely depends on the recognition or non-recognition by other states.