Bolivian President to Take Chile Maritime Dispute to Summit of Americas

During the upcoming seventh Summit of the Americas in Panama City, Bolivia's President Evo Morales may again discuss his country's claim to regain access to the Pacific Ocean from Chile.

The issue of Bolivia reclaiming access to the sea from Chile may again be discussed by Bolivian President Evo Morales at the seventh Summit of the Americas, due to open in Panama City on April 10, sources said.

According to Bolivia's Senate head Jose Alberto Gonzalez, it would be quite logical for La Paz to seize such an opportunity during the Panama gathering.

"This is another forum where we can again raise our maritime claim; we see it as an absolutely legitimate move," Gonzales was quoted by the La Segunda website as saying on Tuesday.

Bolivia lost access to the coastline in a war with Chile in the 19th century, leaving it landlocked ever since.

Chile, in turn, says that Bolivia's maritime claim has no historical or legal basis. Chile also argues that its border with Bolivia was defined by a treaty they inked back in 1904.

The two countries have had limited diplomatic relations since 1978, with previous attempts to negotiate the redrawing of the border repeatedly coming to a flop. Much of Bolivia's trade passes through Chilean ports.

In April 2014, President Morales submitted legal documents to the International Court of Justice in The Hague in support of his country's maritime claim against Chile.

He personally handed over the 200-page dossier, stressing that Bolivia would "never give up" its sea claim.