The ceremony to formalize the end of this “war” on Hans Island took place in Ottawa in the presence of the Foreign Ministers of Canada and Denmark.
In the indirect criticism of the war unleashed by the Russian invasion of Ukraine since the end of February – the partition of the island and the resolution of the protracted conflict of 49 years is seen as a model for a peaceful resolution of regional conflicts.
“The Arctic is a beacon for international cooperation, where the rule of law prevails,” said Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Jolie. “As global security is threatened, it is more important than ever for democracies such as Canada and Denmark to work with indigenous peoples to resolve our differences under international law.”
The controversy over Hans Island – just 1.3 square kilometers and located between Ellesmere and Greenland – began in 1973 with the drawing of the maritime border between Canada and Greenland, an autonomous region that unites the Kingdom of Denmark.
Danes and Canadians have been flying in helicopters over the island for decades, prompting a Canadian call to boycott diplomatic protests, online campaigns and Danish sweets.
During the visits of these ministers, each party will hoist a flag and leave a bottle of whiskey or traditional wine for the other party to enjoy.
“Many called it the Whiskey War. I think it’s the most friendly of all wars,” Jolie told a news conference with its Danish counterpart Jeppe about the controversy, which has attracted the attention of less than 26 foreign ministers over the years. Cofot.
The latter, however, recalled that the resolution of the conflict came at a time when “under the pressure of international order based on rules” and democratic values were “under attack”.
“We see serious violations of international law in other parts of the world,” he said, referring to the war in Ukraine. “Instead, here we show how the old conflicts can be resolved peacefully by following the rules,” said the Danish minister, who believes the experience “motivates other countries to follow the same path.”
The two leaders exchanged bottles and laughed at suggestions that Canada could now join the EU as it shares a land border with Europe.
The site is uninhabitable, but global warming is attracting more shipping in the Arctic, which opens up fishing and exploitation of resources, perhaps even off the particular Hans Island area.
Arctic affairs expert Michael Pierce noted that “the island is incredibly remote and it is impossible to consider any serious economic activity.”
However, postponing the resolution of this regional issue is good political drama for both countries. “This is a completely harmless sovereign dispute between two NATO allies on a small, insignificant island,” Pierce told the AFP.
Denmark feared that losing the war on the island would jeopardize relations with Greenland. For its part, Canada sought to prevent it from weakening its position in a major dispute with the United States over the Beaufort Sea, which is believed to be rich in hydrocarbons in northwestern Canada.
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