Santiago de Chile, January 23 (RHC-Xinhua) -- Chilean President Sebastian Pinera said Wednesday his country would abide by any verdict on the Hague-based International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the maritime dispute with Peru, but would also exercise its rights.

The ICJ is expected to issue a verdict on January 27th regarding a suit filed by Peru in 2008, which accused Chile of encroaching on its territorial waters.

"Chile will exercise every right to defend the country's legitimate interests," Piñera said, adding that whatever the verdict "ties between Chile and Peru will not end on January 27th."

Peru claims that there is no real maritime border treaty between the two nations, while Chile maintains that a 1952 fishing agreement signed by both sides set maritime boundaries.

Both governments have pledged to abide by the final verdict regardless of the result.