On October 1, the Hague's International Court of Justice (ICJ) will rule on Bolivia’s 2013 lawsuit launched against Chile’s monopoly on the region’s Pacific ports, Bolivian representative to the ICJ Eduardo Rodriguez Veltze confirmed Wednesday.
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Hague officials said they will review the case file as a neutral, third party before announcing their decision during the international gathering in the Peace Palace at the beginning of the next month.
Bolivian President Evo Morales said the ruling will be a chance to “rewrite history” for bilateral relations with Chile.
“It will be the new diplomatic relations, that the agreements will be determined...I am convinced that we won’t be disappointed, because our demand is lawful and just," Morales said
In 2013, Bolivia submitted the request at the ICJ in an attempt to restore part of the territory and garner "sovereign access" to the waters it lost after the 1879 Chilean invasion. The action aimed to force Chile into negotiations, arguing that they had failed to comply with the Treaty of 1904 that recognized the exit to the sea for Bolivia.
El 1 de octubre de 2018 empezará una nueva historia entre #Chile y #Bolivia. Mediante el diálogo, debemos resolver el tema marítimo. Las nuevas generaciones no tienen que heredar esta deuda pendiente, Bolivia y Chile serán siempre países vecinos y hermanos, de por vida.
— Evo Morales Ayma (@evoespueblo) September 12, 2018
"On October 1, 2018, a new story began between #Chile and #Bolivia. Through dialogue, we must resolve the maritime issue. The future generations shouldn't inherit outstanding issues, Bolivia and Chile are for all neighbors and brothers for life."
"Bolivia and Chile have a historic responsibility to inaugurate a new stage of peace, complementarity, integration and harmonious coexistence," Morales said.
The ruling will hopefully settle any “outstanding issues” between the “neighboring countries and brothers,” adding that he and the utmost confidence in the ICJ’s abilities, Morales said.
His Chilean counterpart, Sebastian Piñera, however, continues to defend his nation's past policies and respect for its international treaties.
"We have and will continue to defend with all instruments of history and international law our territorial integrity, our sea, our sovereignty," said Piñera.
A statement from the Chilean Foreign Ministry said, "The Government of Chile is looking forward to the decision of the International Court of Justice, which reiterates its adherence to international law and, in particular, its respect for the existing limits treaties.”