Peruvian writer Mario Vargas Llosa and Chilean writer Jorge Edwards assembled academics and intellectuals from both countries to sign a manifesto calling for a “true reconciliation” regarding the maritime dispute between Peru and Chile.

Vargas Llosa and Edwards presented the ‘Call to Concord’ ('Llamado a la Concordia') manifesto, signed by thirty prominent Peruvian and Chilean figures, on Wednesday morning in Madrid.

The manifesto was presented as both countries await the start of oral proceedings at the International Court of Justice at The Hague, regarding a maritime border dispute.

Peru submitted a claim with The Hague in 2008, asking the court to determine the maritime border with Chile, given that the border was not established by an international treaty.

In Chile’s view the maritime boundaries had been previously established by fishing agreements in 1952 and 1954.

The international court is expected to make a decision in mid-2013.

Vargas Llosa, a Nobel Laureate, said both countries could set an example for the international community on how to sensibly resolve border disputes.

"That this is not an end, but a beginning and an example for Latin American countries. Peru and Chile are following a sensible way to resolve disputes, and if it is done this way I think it can set an example,” Vargas Llosa was quoted as saying by Peru21.

He emphasized that the conflict between both countries should not be used to “sow discord and hostility” between Peru and Chile.

The manifesto was signed by Javier Pérez de Cuellar, Isabel Allende, Delfina Guzmán, Fernando de Szyszlo, Cristian Warnken, Monsignor Luis Bambarén, Carla Cordua, Luis Llosa Urquidi, and Humberto Giannini, among others.

The manifesto and the full list of signatories can be found at the official website: llamadoalaconcordia.com.

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