Remember the Treaty of Westphalia? Of course you do.
In a joint statement yesterday, by President of the European Council António Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, regarding the threatened annexation of Greenland by Donald Trump, we find this phrase:
...[t]erritorial integrity and sovereignty are fundamental principles of international law. They are essential for Europe and for the international community as a whole.
Ah, the echoes of Westphalia lo, these 378 years later. Recognize it? Territorial integrity and sovereignty.
In the very first Chapter of the Charter of the United Nations, Article 2, Clause 4, ratified in 1945, reads:
All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.
Still no power, strength or force.
Oh, right - there is some. Power, strength and force, that is. From America. Let's hope the power of history, the strength of strong alliances, and the force of morality can result in better heads prevailing.
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