German defense minister tours Baltics

TALLINN, Estonia, June 9 (UPI) -- German Defense Minister Franz Josef Jung is touring the Baltics this week to boost security cooperation with the region.

The four-day trip is aimed at "discussing pressing issues within NATO and the European Union" and to "strengthen the well-functioning security relations with the three Baltic states," Germany's Defense Ministry said in a statement.

Germany will take over policing of the airspace in the Baltics later this year, as part of ongoing NATO commitments for countries that don't have their own air force capacities.

The first stage of Jung's trip was Estonia, where he met with President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Prime Minister Andrus Ansip and Defense Minister Jaak Aaviksoo Monday and Tuesday. Jung also toured the Tallinn-based NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Center of Excellence, established in 2008 to research and prevent cyberattacks.

Jung was due to travel to Latvia Tuesday for talks with senior government officials, including President Valdis Zatlers. Some 160 Latvian soldiers are stationed under German command in Afghanistan, serving with the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force.

On Wednesday and Thursday, Jung will round off his trip with a stop in Lithuania, meeting with President Valdas Adamkus and Defense Minister Rasa Jukneviciene before addressing the Lithuanian Parliament.

Jung won't return to Berlin but will fly straight to Brussels for a meeting of NATO defense ministers.