BOGOTA, Nov. 16 (UPI) -- Colombia has reiterated its right to allow Norway's Inseis to continue prospecting for oil in San Andres, a region also claimed by Nicaragua.
"Our zone for prospection is not in dispute, historically the cays have been part of Colombia and we have no doubt about it," Colombian Energy and] Mines Minister Hernan Martinez said.
The comments were reported by Colombian Caracol radio Web site Wednesday.
He said Colombia was conduction studies that will allow it to determine if there is petroleum in the area. The results will be known in two months.
The region comprises two islands and seven groups of coral reefs and cays, 125-200 miles east of Nicaragua's Mosquito Coast. Nicaragua has submitted its claim over the area to the International Court at The Hague for resolution. According to a 1928 treaty between the two countries, Colombia owns San Andres and its territorial waters, but Nicaragua has declared the treaty invalid.
The International Court has suspended proceedings on the case while it reviews Colombia's objection, filed in 2003, that the court did not have jurisdiction in the dispute.
Meanwhile, Caracol radio said the Nicaraguan Institute of Energy was expected to open the second bid to the international oil industry in an area that extends to Meridian 81, inside territory Colombia claims as its own.
