Ms Vaira Vike-Freiberga was re-elected unopposed in Latvia today for a second four-year term as president.
The 100-seat parliament returned the popular 65-year-old Ms Vike-Freiberga, eastern Europe's first female president, by 88 votes to six. The constitution prevents her from running for a third consecutive term.
Ms Vike-Freiberga said the foreign policy of the tiny Baltic nation would remain focused on joining the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation defence alliance as soon as possible.
"We hope to become EU members by May 1st, 2004, and hopefully NATO membership will follow shortly after," she told reporters following her re-election.
Latvia is among 10 states, mostly from Eastern Europe, invited to join the European Union in May 2004, depending on the result of a September referendum.
Recent polls show EU support at above 55 per cent, with the "no" camp at just below 30 per cent.
The 2.4 million-strong nation is also due to join NATO next year.