"Latvia is in perfect agreement with France that this situation will have to be viewed in an international perspective," Vike-Freiberga told journalists when asked about the UN's potential role.

"Now we have to see in what practical way and at what precise moment" the UN will be able to assist in both the political and humanitarian spheres, she added.

The two presidents also discussed European Union enlargement and Riga's bid to join the bloc, with Chirac's office saying he hoped Latvians would approve EU membership and hailing Vike-Freiberga's efforts to push through the measure.

Latvia is one of 10 countries on course to join the EU on May 1, 2004. Ahead of a September 20 referendum on the issue, only 52.3 percent of voters in the Baltic state support the move, according to a poll released last month.

On the issue of EU institutional reform, Chirac "emphasized the importance of reinforcing the Commission presidency and the European Council presidency," his office said.

SPACE.WIRE