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Canada, Denmark continue talks on Hans Island

Negotiations continue over who owns the tiny island between Greenland and Ellesmere Island, despite a media report that the countries had agreed to split it down the middle.

Both countries say they're still working on a solution despite report that an agreement was reached

CBC News ·
The crew of the Danish warship Vedderen perform a flag raising ceremony on uninhabitated Hans Island in August 2002. Canadian Forces performed a similar ceremony in 2005. The island is midway between Ellesmere Island and Greenland, and both Canada and Denmark claim sovereignty over it. (Polfoto/The Associated Press)

Denmark's ambassador to Canada says despite media reports, there's still no agreement over Hans Island.

Canada and Denmark have been at odds for years over who owns the tiny island between Greenland and Ellesmere Island. Both countries claim sovereignty over the 1.3 square kilometre piece of barren rock.

Danish ambassador Erik Lorenzen said he saw the media reports of a rumoured agreement to split the island down the middle, giving Canada a land border with the European Union.

But Lorenzen says there's no solution yet.

"For a while we've agreed to disagree, and negotiations are taking place and once we've solved some of the very technical issues … then we will have the solution," he said. "But it does take some time to do these very technical considerations."

Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs also deflected questions about an imminent agreement over Hans Island. A spokesperson said the two countries are still looking for a way forward.

In 2005, Canada and Denmark agreed to work together to settle the simmering territorial dispute.

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