Demilitarized Åland Islands Have Become Finland's Vulnerable Spot in the Baltic Sea — Media.

Åland Islands: Demilitarization and Finland's Security

The Åland Islands in the Baltic Sea are demilitarized, meaning they have renounced state service and lack a garrison on this strategically important part of Finland's coastline.

These islands, which control access to the Gulf of Finland and the Bothnian Bay, are vulnerable spots in the Baltic and are sometimes referred to as "NATO's Lake" due to Sweden's and Finland's accession to the Defense Alliance last year.

"Finland is the key to the defense of Northern Europe, and the islands are the backdoor to the defense of Finland. The demilitarized status benefits only Russia," said Pekka Toveri, Finnish Member of the European Parliament.

Finland has the largest wartime army in Europe but relies on the Åland Islands for connectivity to the world, as 95% of its goods are imported by sea.

Despite this, Finland has no intention of remilitarizing the Åland Islands.

"Of course, there are vulnerable spots. But Finland's Defense Forces have taken this into account for decades. They are now using this information when planning defense together with NATO. Furthermore, any changes in the status of the islands require agreement from our friends and partners," said Finland's Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen.

Finland is obligated to protect the Åland Islands in case of an attack on them, according to demilitarization treaties. Although Finnish defense forces do not conduct exercises directly on the islands, they regularly train in maritime areas similar in geographical position to the Åland Islands.

Source: ZN.UA