Together with the Bolivian president, Vice President David Choquehuanca and other government officials were at the commemoration for the Day of the Sea | Photo: @LaramaDavid

La Paz, March 24 (RHC)-- Bolivian President Luis Arce has affirmed that the maritime demand for an outlet to the sea is an issue that remains "open and pending" and asked Chile to restart the dialogue to solve the historical enclosure of the country.

During the official activity for the Day of the Sea, Arce said that Bolivia went to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague in search of a sovereign outlet to the Pacific Ocean and, although the ruling was not as expected, the Court itself recommended both nations to continue on the path of dialogue to resolve the historic Bolivian claim.

"For justice, history, law, brotherhood for the peoples, sea for Bolivia: President Luis Arce at an event marking 142 years since the beginning of Chile's annexation of Bolivian coastal territories. @teleSURtv pic.twitter.com/Bg37VW7eYL

"The International Court determined that the ruling should not be understood as an impediment for the parties to continue their dialogue and exchanges with the objective of addressing issues related to the enclaustration of Bolivia," Arce said.

He further emphasized by pointing out that the Bolivian demand for sovereign access to the Pacific Ocean remains in force.  "Bolivia reiterates to the international community that the issue of sovereign access to the sea for Bolivia is an open and pending issue whose solution is of concern to the international community, the International Court of Justice and that it must be reached through a sincere mutually beneficial dialogue to generate a climate of good neighborliness," he argued.

The Bolivian president said that during his mandate, he will seek a rapprochement with Chile to discuss the maritime issue and resume the bilateral agenda.

We participated in the ceremonial acts in commemoration of the 142nd anniversary of the heroic defense of Calama, on the eve of March 23, #DíaDelMar. pic.twitter.com/gAseHJlyxj

- David Choquehuanca (@LaramaDavid) March 23, 2021
"Bolivia was born with sovereign access to the Pacific, that is the inevitable destiny of our nation (...). For justice, history, right, reason, peace and brotherhood for the peoples.  Sea for Bolivia!" 

In the ceremony held in the Abaroa Plaza, Arce presented a road map of nine points with the objective of outlining relations with Chile.  First, to resume rapprochement, dialogue and negotiation to seek ways of understanding and integration; second, to promote negotiations on free transit, free zones and warehouses to reduce trade barriers.

Thirdly, Arce proposed to reestablish instances of bilateral cooperation on the basis of diplomatic actions with a climate of peace and trust.  The fourth point was to resume negotiations on Bolivia's rights regarding the unilateral privatization of Chilean ports that affect Bolivian trade interests.

President Luis Arce recalls 142 years of lost access to the Pacific Ocean due to Chile's invasion and annexation of those Bolivian territories. @telesurtv pic.twitter.com/E7XIFrcmfX
- Freddy Morales (@FreddyteleSUR) March 23, 2021

Another of the points is to prioritize the bioceanic corridor to strengthen Bolivia's presence in the Pacific, along with four other elements related to access to the Atlantic Ocean, Bolivia's presence in neighboring ports, exploitation rights and rights to the sea of the United Nations convention, and diplomacy on the basis of brotherhood and solidarity between the two peoples.