SANTO DOMINGO. - Dominican Republic’s territory could be four times bigger if it enforces its territorial waters, said Tuesday the Ambassador of Borders Radhamés Batista.

The official said there are 180 miles of territorial waters, adjacent to Puerto Rico, which Dominican Republic should claim from England and the United States. “We have to declare this country an archipelago state and would have many advantages in our coasts and keys for that reason, for example we must have wider possession in the North part because we are already clearly defined with Venezuela and Colombia to the South.”

He said there’s a lack of clear limits with England, where there are many ocean resources and hydrocarbons, which could be on the Dominican Republic side. “If this is reached the country will grow four times its size, and we’re speaking of a new country.”

Batista spoke prior to the conference Sea Boundaries in International Law, by the international expert Paul S. Reichler.

The ambassador said the lack of a defined border with England and neighboring countries leads Dominican Republic to seek answers in international law, since the country’s growth means more territorial waters and more marine resources.