23-03-05

Bolivian President Carlos Mesa said that his country is willing to sell natural gas to Chile if Chile agrees to provide the land-locked country an access to the Pacific Ocean.
At a ceremony marking the "Day of Sea," Mesa said it is necessary to restart negotiations with Chile on the sea access issue. Bolivia may share its natural gas reserves with Chile if the two countries can agree on a "solution to our maritime problem," said Mesa.

Bolivia's natural gas reserves are estimated at 1.5 tcm, the largest in South America. Bolivia lost its coastline after being defeated by Chile in the 1879-1883 war. The country is trying to restore the Atacama corridor, a key access to the Pacific Ocean.
Chile, however, refuses to cede control of the strip, saying a 1904 bilateral treaty settled all territorial matters with Bolivia. Decades-long negotiations on the issue have failed.

Bolivia and Chile downgraded diplomatic relations in 1978 over the border issue.
The two countries maintain commercial relations and have consulates in each other's capital.

Source: Xinhua