By Thorsten Chr. Pohlmann, freelance journalist.

Riga, Latvia. There are some good reasons for General Carter F. Ham to visit the baltic States these days. Just weeks before - two major exercises on the border to the Baltic States took place. A joint maneuver – held by Russia and Belarus – exercising a hostile act by NATO like units, poring into Belarus and St. Petersburg.

The exercise, just at the other side of the border was noticed by all NATO member States, General Ham said members of the Latvian National Press, yet his visit is not related to the those exercises. In fact, he emphasized, his travel plans were made long before hand.

In the baltic States, the joint Russian and Belorussian training exercise revived old fairs about an aggressive neighbor and renewed the requests of some politicians - like the President of Lithuania - to come forward with NATO Contingency Plans.

Such plans would outline detailed actions to be taken by NATO forces in case an hostile event would take place on the territory of the Baltic States.

First, Ham said, I am here to say thank you to the people and the soldiers who have served side by side in the Former Republic of Yugoslavia and still do so today in Afghanistan. And second, “We are .. focussing on enhancing and strengthening our cooperation and advance our partnership.”

Next year, a joint Baltic exercise will take place. During his visit, the General wanted to get better acquainted with the area and the countries in preparation of this exercise.

In Latvia, Ham met with partners at the Ministry of Defense, with the Latvian Defense Minister Imants Lieģis and with high ranking officers of the Latvian National Armed Forces. As in Lithuania, Ham observed during his two day stay a training exercise of a local infantry battalion.

It was Hams first visit to Latvia since becoming becoming commander of the US Army in Europe in August last year. On Thursday, Ham will continue its tour by visiting Estonia.

Earlier, this week General Ham also met with High Members of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, including the Chief of the Lithuanian Defense Arvydas Pocius.

General Ham served multiple tours to Europe, Middle East and went to Iraq in January 2004. From 2005, he served as the Deputy Director for Regional Operations on the Joint Staff, from August 2006 as a Commanding General until 2007 and most recently as the Director for Operations, at J3 – The Joint Staff.