Warsaw  - A group of one-time politicians from the former Soviet bloc have appealed to US President Barack Obama to not forget the region when it comes to relations with Russia and a proposed missile shield, according to media reports Thursday.

The former leaders, in an open letter, said what was once a sure alliance between the United States and Central Europe is today undergoing its hardest test, according to Polish daily Gazeta Wyborcza.

It was signed by former Polish Solidarity union leader Lech Walesa, former Czech anti-communist leader Vaclav Havel and former presidents of Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Latvia.

The US must be decisive in its relations with Russia, the letter said. The proposed US anti-missile shield - to be based in Poland and the Czech Republic - is a test of Washington's trustworthiness, the the newspaper quoted the letter as saying.

"When Obama's new administration outlines the priorities of its foreign policy ... our region is one of those which America has stopped worrying about," the letter said. "Many assume the region's pro-Atlantic attitude, it's stability and prosperity will last forever. This is an untimely view."

The letter comes amid worries about NATO's lack of response to the recent conflict between Russia and Georgia.

Central Europe is also concerned Obama will abandon the missile shield project that was inked by his predecessor George W Bush. Obama appears hesitant to start building, saying the system should first be proven to work.

Poland agreed to host the missile shield in exchange for US military aid. But the deal drew ire from Moscow, who said the system was aimed at Russia despite US assurances that it is for protection against "rogue states" like Iran.(dpa)