Bolivian President Evo Morales said Wednesday that he hopes the country will be able to regain sovereign access to the sea with recognition from the The Hague International Court of Justice in a speech that was closely monitored by neighboring Chile.
Morales marked Bolivia's Sea Day calling for “a sea for all peoples of the world” while marking 137 years since the South American country lost access to the ocean when Chile annexed its territory in the War of the Pacific.
#bolivia marks #diadelmar in symbolic ceremony for country's landlocked navy in La paz @telesurenglish pic.twitter.com/XehXqqMENP
— Dimitri O'Donnell (@dimitri_teleSUR) March 23, 2016
The president said that settling the more than century-old territorial dispute and granting the landlocked country access to the Pacific will pave the way for unity, not separation or conflict.
Morales called on the government of Chile under President Michelle Bachelet to work together in a frank and sincere dialogue to reach a solution that benefits everyone.
#EvoMorales "our call for access to sea has been heard around the world" @telesurenglish #Bolivia #MarParaBolivia pic.twitter.com/JTaMnlLHZk
— Dimitri O'Donnell (@dimitri_teleSUR) March 23, 2016
Chilean Foreign Minister Heraldo Muñoz had called on Morales to “moderate his speech and respect” on Sea Day, saying his government would be closely listening to the Bolivian president in case it was deemed necessary to respond.
Since losing territorial control, Bolivia became the second landlocked country in South America, forcing the country to rely on roadway infrastructure for commercial transportation.
The International Court of Justice at The Hague is currently considering Bolivia’s claim to sovereign access to the Pacific Ocean.
WATCH: Bolivia in 2015