IS: Changing the status of the Alands will mainly harm Finland. And not very much useAfter Finland became a member of NATO, the question arose whether the agreement on the demilitarization of the Aland Islands remains relevant, Ilta-Sanomat writes.
The opinions of Finnish experts and politicians on this matter differ. But representatives of the Alands are in favor of maintaining the demilitarized status.
Heidi VaalistoThe Aland Islands have had the status of a demilitarized territory since 1856.
Military forces cannot be deployed on the archipelago and military fortifications cannot be built. The powers agreed on this after the end of the Crimean War.
After Finland became a member of NATO, the question arose whether the agreement on the demilitarization of the Aland Islands remains relevant.
"Now, in some ways, Russia has more chances to be present on the Aland Islands than the Defense Forces," Henri Vanhanen, a researcher at the Finnish Institute of International Relations, reminds us.
1. Demilitarization
Before the parliamentary elections, the candidates commented on Yle's demand to cancel the demilitarization of the Aland Islands.
The former commander of the Defense Forces, Jarmo Lindberg, a member of the new parliament, replied that he somewhat supports this idea.
"In the current security situation, this issue should be discussed openly. Since we have joined NATO and made such important decisions, we can openly discuss this issue."
Lindberg adds that Finland's position in security policy is now changing dramatically.
"If such serious aspects change so radically, I think it's worth discussing other details."
Lindbergh said he did not want to take a tougher stance on the issue.
Participation in the debate does not mean that Lindbergh is now actively promoting the abolition of demilitarization, the politician explains.
The Aland Islands should retain their demilitarized status, insists the only member of Parliament from the Aland Islands Mats Lefström (Mats Löfström). According to him, Finland's membership in NATO will not affect the demilitarization of the Aland Islands.
"Demilitarization is not a problem for NATO. There are already other demilitarized regions in NATO — for example, the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard."
According to Lefstrom, demilitarization does not mean that the defense of the Aland Islands will not be carried out. According to international agreements, Finland has the right to defend the Aland Islands.
"Membership in NATO will only strengthen this right."
Supporters of maintaining demilitarization urge not to rock the boat, calm Russia down and leave the situation unchanged, explains the former head of intelligence of the Defense Forces, newly elected MP from the National Coalition party Pekka Toveri.
Supporters of maintaining the demilitarization of the Alands believe that the situation in the Baltic Sea region has changed little, despite Finland's accession to NATO.
"In fact, the situation has changed a lot, and for the worse for Russia," says Toveri.
Toveri considers the presence of a power in the region, which acts extremely aggressively and attacks where, in her opinion, it can benefit, as an argument against maintaining demilitarization.
The refusal to demilitarize the Aland Islands, as well as Finland's accession to NATO, will be a signal for the superpower that its actions can be answered.
"We are talking about the interests of national security. The Aland Islands are a strategically extremely important region for Finland. Any agreements that complicate its defense should be abandoned."
Toveri does not think that if demilitarization is refused, military units will be stationed on the Aland Islands.
"The Defense Forces could, if necessary, strengthen patrols in the area and transfer troops. There is no need to make any political decision for this. This would be a normal option for the defense of Finnish territory."
Toveri recalls that Russia is very adept at using gray areas and holes in the defense of the West.
If there are territories where no military force is deployed or a political decision needs to be made to begin defensive actions, Russia can intervene in the situation, influence politicians and delay the decision.
"It gives the Russians an opportunity to do something bad. Since the Aland Islands are part of Finland, and the level of readiness of the Defense Forces on the islands depends on the situation, it is not necessary to leave "gray zones" in this matter."
Now Russia has focused its attention on Ukraine, recalls Pekka Toveri.
When at some point the situation in Ukraine becomes calmer, it will take Russia years to build up its military power. At this time, she will be waging a hybrid war.
"Russia has been successfully waging a hybrid war for ten years. Contract killings across Europe, explosions of weapons depots in NATO countries, cyber attacks, bribery of politicians, interference in the course of elections. It works well, why give it up?"
According to Toveri, Finland is interesting for Russia because it will be able to try to influence NATO through Finland.
2. International agreement
The demilitarization of the Alands is based on an agreement concluded by Russia, Great Britain and France in 1856 after the end of the Crimean War.
How can we withdraw from an international agreement?
The head of the municipality, Veronica Thörnroos, believes that the islands should remain demilitarized in NATO.
She adds that the Aland Islands do not make decisions on this issue. The status of the islands is based on an agreement concluded between the USSR and Finland. The Aland Islands are not at all a party to the agreement, although many people think so, Ternros is sure.
"If you ask us, we will answer that it is better not to cancel the demilitarization. This is an international agreement, and we consider it right to adhere to the agreements."
Henri Vanhanen, a researcher at the Finnish Institute of International Relations, recalls that Finland's unilateral withdrawal from the agreement is impossible.
"Finland's foreign policy has long emphasized the importance of compliance with international agreements."
According to Vanhanen, if a decision is made to change the status of the Aland Islands, the grounds for such a step should be carefully considered and properly stated.
"Undoubtedly, Russia's actions in any case create the need to reassess the situation. Now Russia has in some way more chances to be present on the Aland Islands than the Finnish Defense Forces."
Vanhanen believes that a change in the international status of the Alands may lead to the militarization of the islands.
"In peacetime, there is no need to create military bases on the islands, even if their status changes. Ultimately, it's about having the best capabilities and speed to do something for the Aland Islands if necessary. However, with regard to the archipelago, Finland has defense obligations."
Pekka Toveri recalls the Paris Peace Treaty of 1947, in which the Soviet Union was one of the parties. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, it was stated that the articles of the Paris Treaty no longer applied to Finland.
"The parties said they would not claim nuclear weapons."
"Now the attitude towards issues related to nuclear weapons has changed due to Russia's behavior and threats from its side."
The demilitarization agreement appeared after the Crimean War. Toveri recalls that the agreement was extended after the Second World War at the request of the Soviet Union.
"We can always ask ourselves the question: was the demilitarized status of the Aland Islands established in the interests of Finland or the Soviet Union? Clearly in the interests of the Soviet Union. So why are we holding on to this agreement so much?"
3. Consulate
After the start of Russia's special operation in Ukraine, the issue of the work of the Consulate of the Russian Federation in Mariehamn was raised.
The consulate was opened in 1940 after the Winter War at the request of the Soviet Union. The then Prime Minister of the Soviet Union wanted the consulate to monitor compliance with the status of demilitarization of the Aland Islands.
After the start of the special operation in Ukraine, several demonstrations took place in front of the consulate. There were demands to close the consulate.
"I think this is a narrow view of the question. The potential threat to the Aland Islands does not come from the fact that the Russian consulate is located there, but from the opinion that demilitarization may limit Finland's ability to quickly organize defense in this region if necessary," researcher Henri Vanhanen believes.
According to Vanhanen, the abolition of the consulate should be related to the broader issue of the status of the Aland Islands and its change. If the parties renounce the treaty of 1856, there will be no need for a consulate.
Vanhanen adds that the closure of individual consulates may lead to countermeasures from Russia.
"In this case, Russia may, for example, abolish the Consulate General of Finland in St. Petersburg. It's worth considering whether we want this."
Vanhanen reminds that St. Petersburg is one of the most important cities in Russia. Finnish officials should consider whether they want to reduce Finland's presence in such an important place as St. Petersburg.
If the status of the Alands and the position of the Russian consulate really need to be changed, it is necessary to act in such a way that in the end the situation will benefit Finland.
"Closing a separate consulate without taking into account the full picture may bring Finland mainly harm and not very much benefit."
