A letter of agreement has been signed by Nato and Baltic States to improve air training opportunities in the Baltic region.

Signed by Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, the agreement will focus on airspace management arrangements in support of Nato's air policing mission and other air activities in the Baltic Sea region.

The project is expected to facilitate more air training opportunities in the Baltic region, thus ensuring the safe and efficient use of airspace.

The alliance will take the responsibility of protecting Nato's territory and populations, and improving civil-military coordination.

The agreement contains a set of provisions for the execution of the Nato's air policing mission, considering the evolution of national regulations for airspace management in the three Baltic States.

"The alliance will take the responsibility of protecting Nato's territory and populations, and improving civil-military coordination."

In April this year, Nato and partner air forces completed a joint military exercise, Exercise Ramstein Alloy, at Amari Air Base in Estonia.

Participating allies included Estonia, Lithuania, Belgium, Poland, Spain, the UK and the US, and Nato partners Finland and Sweden.

During the two-day exercise, the participants performed a wide range of practise scenarios such as search-and-rescue (SAR) operations, air-to-air training and refuelling, and diversions to Baltic airfields.

Designed to minimise risks, and ensure the safety and integrity of the allies' airspace, Nato's air policing responds to military and civilian aircraft that approach alliance borders without prior notification, and aircraft violating international flight regulations.

Image: The Latvian, Estoinian and Lithuanian Ministers of Defence and the Nato Secretary General Ambassador. Photo: courtesy of Nato.