San Jose, December 17 (EFE-RHC)-- The Nicaraguan government said on Wednesday that it acknowledges and will abide by the decision of the International Court of Justice at The Hague putting an end to two border disputes with Costa Rica, decisions that recognize Costa Rican sovereignty over Isla Portillos.

The government hailed the ruling by the ICJ, which “concludes a page in the history of encounters and disagreements between the governments of Nicaragua and Costa Rica.”

The coordinator of the Communication and Citizenship Council, Rosario Murillo, said that the Nicaraguan government finds in this ruling the sense of balance that has always characterized the decisions of the UN high court.

The government expressed in a statement read by Murillo that, for Nicaragua, it “is of great importance” that the ICJ recognized Managua’s full right to carry out dredging activities in the San Juan River.

It also said that the ICJ unanimously ruled that the Costa Rican government demarked and constructed a roadway parallel to the river, failing to fulfill its obligation to first perform an environmental impact study that would result in reducing damage to the local flora and fauna.

“Another important point included in the ruling is (Nicaragua’s) right to regulate ... navigation on the San Juan River,” said the government, adding that now the two nations should resolve to “reestablish the mechanisms of dialogue and coexistence that allow us to ensure respect, tranquility and peace.”

“The resolution of the court fully satisfies (Costa Rica’s) national assessment that its territory was invaded by Nicaragua in an open act of illegality,” said Solis at a press conference.

The president said that “the majority of the propositions of Costa Rica were accepted unanimously and completely.”

The ICJ on Wednesday ruled in favor of Costa Rica in its border dispute with Nicaragua by recognizing Costa Rican sovereignty over Isla Portillos (also known as Harbour Head Island) and concluding that Managua violated its territory with its military presence and its navigation rights in the San Juan River.

In its ruling, the ICJ confirmed that no proof exists that Coast Rica had caused environmental damage to the San Juan River in the construction of a road parallel to the waterway.