TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The formation of a new coalition government in Lithuania has led to a postponement of economic negotiations with Taiwan but will not affect bilateral cooperation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Tuesday.
Lithuania’s LRT reported Monday that both sides had agreed to suspend talks on an economic cooperation action plan. A new government coalition is expected to take office in the Baltic nation, with negotiations with Taiwan expected to resume afterward.
Lithuania reportedly also agreed that China could set up a charge d’affaires office in Vilnius. After Taiwan opened a representative office in Lithuania in 2021 under the name “Taiwanese Representative Office,” China downgraded relations with Lithuania and imposed economic sanctions.
At a regular news conference Tuesday, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Hsiao Kuang-wei (蕭光偉) confirmed that negotiations on the economic cooperation plan had been postponed because of the government transition, CNA reported. However, he said the friendly relationship between Taiwan and Lithuania would continue and would not be affected by third parties.
Hsiao said Taiwan and Lithuania had become close partners because of shared values based on democracy, freedom, and human rights. Cooperation has brought economic benefits and strengthened resilience for both sides, he said.
