Canada and Denmark make peace in the whiskey war. The two countries have been fighting over a small Arctic island for half a century. Now they have decided to divide it by creating the first land border between Canada and Europe
Canada and Denmark have ended the so-called Whiskey Wars. A war without bloodshed, which the two countries have been waging for half a century for flags and bottles of alcohol. The object of the fight: a small uninhabited island in the Arctic known as Hans Island.
The two countries reached an agreement to divide the island, creating the first land border between Canada and Europe. The peace accord was signed by foreign ministers.
But don’t cheat. Control of this tiny territory, located on the northwest coast of Greenland, is no small feat, given the struggle for control of Arctic resources between the neighboring countries. The agreement also serves as a message to Russia that differences can be resolved through dialogue.
Danes and Canadians have visited the rock by helicopter in recent decades to claim it, leading to diplomatic protests, internet campaigns and even a Canadian call for a boycott of the Danish pastry.
During these visits, the ministers planted their respective flags and deposited bottles of whiskey or brandy on the island, accompanied by jokes. This Wednesday the whiskey was used to toast to peace.
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