Unic Press UK: The International Court of Justice (ICJ), which is, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, Monday delivered its Judgment in the case concerning Obligation to Negotiate Access to the Pacific Ocean (Bolivia v. Chile), ruling that Chile has no obligation to negotiate with and or grant Bolivia a fully sovereign access to the Pacific Ocean.
In a Press Release, the ICJ said Monday:
“The Court observes that Bolivia and Chile have a long history of dialogue, exchanges and negotiations aimed at identifying an appropriate solution to the landlocked situation of Bolivia following the War of the Pacific and the 1904 Peace Treaty. The Court is however unable to conclude, on the basis of the material submitted to it, that Chile has “the obligation to negotiate with Bolivia in order to reach an agreement granting Bolivia a fully sovereign access to the Pacific Ocean”. Accordingly, the Court cannot accept the other final submissions presented by Bolivia, which are premised on the existence of such an obligation, namely that the Court adjudge and declare that Chile has breached that obligation and that Chile must perform that obligation in good faith, promptly, formally, within a reasonable time and effectively. The Court adds that its finding should not be understood as precluding the Parties from continuing their dialogue and exchanges, in a spirit of good neighbourliness, to address the issues relating to the landlocked situation of Bolivia, the solution to which they have both recognized to be a matter of mutual interest.”
The row between Bolivia and Chile over access to the Pacific Ocean dates back to the 19th century – a time in which Bolivia lost access to the Ocean during a war with Chile.
