Flags, whiskey and liquor: After a long dispute, an American and European country agreed to have a land border

Copenhagen: Putting an end to a conflict that has lasted for nearly half a century, by Suleiman’s decision, Denmark and Canada have agreed to divide the small, uninhabited Arctic island known as Hans Island, in order to avoid tensions in the north.

Since 1971 the two NATO allies have been embroiled in a mostly friendly dispute over the island, It is located at the same distance between Greenland and the Canadian island of Ellesmere.

Greenland is an autonomous region within the Kingdom of DenmarkCopenhagen is responsible for managing some political issues, including foreign and security policy.

Canada and Denmark The 1.2 square kilometer island will be divided into two practically equal partstaking for reference Natural indentation in rocky terrainAccording to an agreement published by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday.

“The Arctic is a beacon of 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 that democracies like Canada and Denmark work together with indigenous peoplesHe stressed resolving our differences in accordance with international law.

Some analysts see the peace agreement as a sign that NATO’s Arctic states are seeking to iron out any rough edges between them. To stay together after the Russian invasion of Ukraine raised security concerns after decades of calm in the region.

“It really is a sign for everyone This is the way to resolve disputes. “I don’t know if it would be realistic to expect a similar situation from Russia,” said Soren Norby, military historian at the Royal Danish Defense College.

The island is named after Greenland Explorer Hans Hendrickwho participated in The first expedition to the island in 1853. It is called Tartupaluk in Greenland, which translates to “kidney-shaped”.

Neither country was aware of the other’s claim to the island until a bilateral meeting was held in 1971 to discuss the territorial boundaries.

Since the 1980s, Danish and Canadian officials, scientists, and soldiers have visited the island, taking turns removing the other country’s flag and raising their own.

It has even become a tradition for visitors to leave a bottle of Canadian whiskey or Danish liqueur for their competitors to find on their next visit.according to media reports.

Danes and Canadians have been flying helicopters for decades to claim it, prompting diplomatic protests, online campaigns and even a Canadian call for a boycott of Danish sweets.

ice cream place UninhabitableBut with global warming Attracts more ship traffic to the North Polewhich opens the way for hunting and resource exploration, although perhaps not in a specific area of ​​Hans Island.

Michael Byers, an expert on Arctic affairs, pointed out that “The island is so far away that it is not economically viable to think of any serious activity there.”. However, postponing the resolution of this unusual territorial dispute has been a good political theater for both countries. “It was a completely risk-free dispute over sovereignty between two NATO allies over a small, insignificant island,” Byers said.

However, Denmark feared that losing the island battle would undermine relations with Greenland, while Canada wanted to prevent the territorial loss from weakening its position in a larger dispute with the United States over Beaufort Seain the far northwest of Canada, which is believed to be rich in hydrocarbons.

In 2018, the two countries decided to establish a joint working group to resolve the conflict. The agreement will be formally signed by the ministers of the two countries after parliament approves it.

by agreement, Canada and Denmark have established the world’s longest maritime border with a length of 3,882 km, It stretches from the Lincoln Sea in the north to the Labrador Sea in the south, the State Department said.

Reuters and Agence France-Presse