OTTAWA — Rumours of a deal between Canada and Denmark over who has sovereignty over Hans Island have been overstated, Denmark’s ambassador to Canada says.

“There was a report that we’d found a solution,” Erik Vilstrup Lorenzen said this week in response to media reports the island would be split between the two countries. “There is no solution but there are several options on the table. It’s difficult to say when (it will be solved) but it will be not for many years, that’s for sure. When it comes to Hans Island, it is serious stuff for both of us.”

He explained that once negotiating parties come up with specific models, those models will then have to go to the political level for endorsement. He did say, however, that the “dispute” continues to be well managed.

“We do have excellent relations and open communications on this. One model might be the one that was reported in the National Post (of split ownership) but there are others, such as common ownership. Honestly, on that specific issue, there’s nothing new.”

In September, 2005, Canada and Denmark issued a joint statement on Hans Island stating that both countries “will continue our efforts to reach a long-term solution to the Hans Island dispute. Our officials will meet again in the near future to discuss ways to resolve the matter, and will report back to ministers on their progress.”

That was more than six years ago, on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly. The Hans issue had remained largely quiet since then until it resurfaced last week. Lorenzen thinks the renewed interest is just because of heightened awareness of Arctic issues in general. Now that China has joined Russia and the United States in Arctic discussions, more attention is being paid on a global level.

“There’s a huge interest in the Arctic and it’s a big part of Canada,” he said.

Last time it was discussed, both parties were digging in their heels and claiming sovereignty but now, Lorenzen said, they’re aiming for something that is mutually agreeable.

“Anything is possible but a solution that’s not acceptable to both, we’ve long passed that point,” he said. “At the same time, it’s important stuff because it’s a lot of symbol. No one expects there to be many resources (on Hans Island) but the way you deal with this is important (because it will set a precedent for) how you deal with other border issues. How are Canada and Denmark able to deal with this? How do we go forward?”

Of course, there are other bits of interest, including a history of diplomatic jousting. In his book, Who Owns the Arctic, author Mike Byers writes that one of Denmark’s lawyers reported both sides have had a sense of humour in the dispute, which has actually been ongoing since the 1970s. On departure, Danish military have been known to leave a bottle of schnapps on Hans Island while members of the Canadian Forces once left a bottle of Canadian Club with a sign saying “Welcome to Canada.”