Secretary-General Encourages Costa Rica, Nicaragua to Honour Ruling by International Court of Justice on Territorial Differences

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General takes note of the ruling released on 16 December by the International Court of Justice in The Hague on the joined cases concerning territorial and related differences between the Governments of Costa Rica and Nicaragua.  The hearings lasted several years, during which both Costa Rica and Nicaragua presented their arguments.

The Secretary-General welcomes the trust the Governments of Costa Rica and Nicaragua have placed in the International Court of Justice by asking it to resolve these differences.  He encourages the two Governments to abide by the International Court of Justice's decision, as they have both publicly committed to do.

The Secretary-General expresses the hope that Nicaragua and Costa Rica will continue working to improve their relations as neighbouring countries with strong linkages among their citizens.