Following the restoration of independence, Latvia rejoined the United Nations and reconnected with international institutions. In 1992, it became eligible for the International Monetary Fund, and by 1994, Latvia joined NATO’s Partnership for Peace program and signed a free trade agreement with the European Union. Latvia also became a member of the European Council and was the first Baltic nation to join the World Trade Organization.
In 1999, the European Union invited Latvia to begin accession talks. By 2004, Latvia achieved two key foreign policy goals: joining NATO on April 2 and the European Union on May 1, with 67% of voters supporting EU membership in a 2003 referendum. Latvia later joined the Schengen Area on December 21, 2007, further integrating with Europe. Latvia adopted the euro on January 1, 2014, becoming part of the Eurozone.