Santiago de Chile, January 14 (RHC)-- Chilean Foreign Minister Alfredo Moreno called on Monday to strengthen his country's relationship with neighboring Peru, in the lead-up to an International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling on their maritime dispute.

The United Nations court, based in The Hague, is expected to announce on Jan. 27 its decision on a suit filed by Peru in 2008 to complain that Chile encroached on its territorial waters.

Moreno stressed the importance of good ties between nations sharing borders at a press conference following a meeting with Chilean President Sebastian Pinera, leaders of the political parties and other officials, laying out Chile's position on the suit.

So far, both countries have affirmed they will accept any decision taken by the court.

Peru's suit claims that there is no real maritime border treaty between the two, only an agreement designating fishing rights, while Chile maintains that in 1952 both countries signed a treaty on maritime boundaries.