LIMA, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Tensions are running high between Peru and Chile as the two countries are locked in a maritime territory dispute in which neither side has shown any intention of budging.

    The week-long border disagreement was capped with Peru filing a lawsuit against Chile at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague on Wednesday, a move drawing angry responses from Chile, which claims the disputed area is "unquestionably under Chilean sovereignty and jurisdiction."

    The Hague Court said Peru "began procedures against Chile demanding a zone within 200 miles of the coast, that belongs to Peru but Chile believes is part of its ocean."

    Peru demands its maritime boundary with Chile include a seashore known as Concordia, according to the 1929 Lima Treaty between the two countries, while Chile argues the maritime boundary with Peru was established under two bilateral accords signed in 1952 and 1954.

    Peru refuted that the two treaties mentioned by Chile were merely fishing accords and accused Chile of "grabbing" 37,900 sq km of resource-rich ocean from Peru.

    "Deeply lamenting" Peru's presentation of the lawsuit, Chile recalled its ambassador from Lima on Thursday. Chilean Foreign Minister Alejandro Foxley said the ambassador was called back to inform the Chilean government and meet with a legal team analyzing the situation and seeking ways to defend Chile's position.

    Foxley said the ambassador must "assure us that what has occurred will allow us a good defense for Chile, but also normalcy in the relations with neighboring countries."

    Chilean President Michelle Bachelet also termed such a move as "something normal, natural and appropriate."

    "In this type of situation, it is always appropriate to call the ambassador so that he comes to inform about a set of issues he may have officially received from the Peruvian government," said Bachelet, adding "an important part of the advisory team" will defend Chile's maritime border position with the Foreign Ministry before the Hague.

    Defending Peru's stance, Peruvian President Alan Garcia told parliament on Wednesday that the lawsuit aims to solve the problem peacefully, fairly and completely and that he hopes to avoid any damage to relations between the two countries.

    Garcia added he believed "the case at The Hague will resolve the bilateral controversy in the most civilized and sensible manner."

    Also upbeat on the prospects of the case, Peruvian Foreign Minister Jose Garcia Belaunde said "the presentation of the demand will cause certain agitation" but that later "everything will return to normal" in Peru's relations with Chile.

    The top Peruvian diplomat said Chile's recalling its ambassador was something understandable under such circumstances, but Peru would not follow suit. He also expressed hope that the meeting between the Peruvian and Chilean foreign and defense ministers would be held as scheduled.

    However, Peruvian Defense Minister Antero Flores-Araoz struck amore stern note, saying Peru's position is based on solid juridical arguments and historical tradition, and the dispute must be solved in accordance with international law.

    The Hague court said "the delimitation is to be determined in accordance with customary international law," but added it would probably take over five years to issue a final verdict on the dispute.

    The case also caused concerns from other Latin American countries such as Ecuador and Bolivia, which had hoped that Peru and Chile would settle this dispute through peaceful means. Bolivian Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca said on Thursday that this dispute would not affect his country's trade talks with Peru.

    Analysts said the ownership of the rich fishing resources in the area lies at the core of the dispute. Chile used to detain Peruvian ships entering the disputed area, but in 2006 it amended its constitution to lay claim to the ownership of the area. Chile will now use its right to settle disputes through military means, analysts say.

    Therefore, resorting to the international court for a settlement would probably be the best way to solve the disagreement peacefully, analysts say.