Denmark and Canada have settled the decades-long dispute over the rocky island of Hans, located between Greenland and Canada. The two countries divide the 1.3 square kilometer Arctic island along a rock rift in a north-south direction. This also marks the end of the so-called Whiskey War, which has been smoldering since the 1930s.
Hans Island is located in the middle of the Kennedy Channel between Greenland and Ellesmere Island. A theoretical line in the middle of the strait runs through the island: Canada and Denmark could not agree on a border for decades.
Quarrel with foreign means
The dispute over the uninhabited and vegetation-free island, important for its shipping rights and suspected seabed resources, was fought over by Denmark and Canada in the early 2000s, sometimes by foreign means.
Members of the armed forces of both countries and tourists took turns “occupied” the island and, in addition to the hoisted flag, left there other things, including liquid greetings in the form of alcoholic drinks – the Canadians left whiskey, the Danes Akvavit .
Denmark sees “crystal clear signal”
Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod acknowledged that the fact that a solution could now be reached was a “crystal clear signal” to the world that border disputes can be resolved in accordance with international law and in a pragmatic and peaceful way that everyone can enjoy. benefits. According to Ritzau news agency, this is especially important given the current world situation, in which there is far too much war and conflict.
The agreement has also been signed by Greenland, which has extensive autonomy within the Danish “Republic of Nations”. Should Greenland one day declare its independence from Denmark, it would also assume sovereignty over the Danish half of Hans.
Island not divided halfway
Finally, in 2018, a trilateral working group began negotiating a solution to the conflict. In November last year, an agreement was reached in the Icelandic capital Reykjavik about the now closed division of the island. This also defines the previously obscure 875 kilometers of the common maritime border of Canada and Greenland in the Barents Sea.
By the way, the island is not divided in half. Because the border follows a natural formation in the rock, Denmark gets a slightly larger piece of the island than Canada.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
