THE HAGUE, Netherlands. – The Bolivian agent before the maritime demand, Eduardo Rodriguez, denounced in The Hague that Chile has not fulfilled its promise to reach an agreement to negotiate an exit to the Pacific Ocean for Bolivia.

“Bolivia comes to this court in the spirit of reconciling this dispute and reaching agreement,” Rodriguez said at the commencement of the oral hearing of the complaint that took place in the International Court of Justice.

The Bolivian lawyer pointed out that his country is asking the International Court of Justice to intervene so that Chile sit at the negotiating table to end the lack of access to the sea.

“The two countries, united by culture and history, will be able to heal all wounds and have a better relationship,” the diplomat said and called not to dismiss the importance of the case.

History and Law Accompany Maritime Demand

The President-in-Office of Bolivia, Álvaro Garcia Linera, said the history of more than three thousand years and law accompany the demand of maritime claim interposed against Chile that is settling before The Hague.

Workers, students and people from all social sectors gathered in a vigil to accompany the delegation headed by President Evo Morales in the oral hearings of the process that began on Monday before the International Court of Justice.

Garcia Linera summarized more than ten official offerings and writings proposed to Chile to ensure a sovereign exit of Bolivia to the sea.

Now in the International Court of Justice, the delegation has shown these proposals to establish a binding legal obligation for Chile to negotiate in good faith with Bolivia a sovereign exit to the Pacific Ocean.