Vilnius, Oct 09, SPA --Improved relations between NATOand Russia would benefit the Baltic states, the head of themilitary alliance today told the former Soviet nations,which are traditionally mistrustful of their large neighbour, Reuters reported. Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia joined NATO five years ago,which, along with entry to the European Union, crowned a drivefor firm ties with the West after freeing themselves from 50years of Soviet rule in 1991. "I understand very well the concerns of the Balticcountries," NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen toldreporters during a visit to Lithuania. "But I think it would improve the overall security situationin Europe, and also be beneficial to the Baltics, if we couldreduce tensions and improve our relations with Russia." The former Danish prime minister has been touring Estonia,Latvia and Lithuania this week to assure them of NATO's support,but also to tell them that the Alliance needed Russia's closerengagement, also because of Afghanistan. "I hope Russia can finally admit that NATO is not a threat,"he said in a speech at Vilnius University. Baltic post-Soviet relations with Russia have ranged fromperiods of tension to trying to forge as good a workingrelationship as possible, without overly warm ties. The Baltic states were strong allies of Georgia during itsshort war with Russia over South Ossetia in 2008 after whichthey asked NATO to draw up contingency plans for Baltic defence. They also want NATO to extend its air policing mission overBaltic skies beyond 2014.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/707373