"They will study our autonomy, which basically has developed from a decision liked by nobody. But since then a system that works has emerged," Elisabeth Naucler, the highest-ranking civil servant on the Aaland Islands, told AFP.

"Despite the fact that the parties involved didn't agree on much, we have developed a functioning structure, including our own police force, that is of interest from an international perspective."

Due to their strategic location in the middle of the Baltic Sea, the islands -- which have been under Swedish, Russian and finally Finnish administration the past two centuries -- control sea lanes between Eastern and Western Europe.

As a result Aaland has seen numerous skirmishes, the most significant being the 1854 Battle of Bomarsund during the Crimean War.

During the two-day visit starting on Sunday, the Tamil Tiger delegation will learn about the province's self-rule, education and health system, as well as being briefed on various principles of autonomy by the Aaland Peace Institute.

SPACE.WIRE