Lithuania's Speaker of the Seimas expressed disappointment that economic ties with Taiwan have not met expectations, suggesting a need for more effort in strengthening these relations while managing relations with China carefully.
The Speaker of the Seimas, J.Olekas, spoke during an interview about the partnership between Lithuania and Taiwan, indicating that the anticipated economic benefits from this relationship have not materialized as hoped. Initially, there was an expectation that increasing cooperation with Taiwan would result in a shift away from trading with China and pave the way for investments and enhanced economic activities; however, the reality does not seem to align with those hopes.
Olekas acknowledged that while some benefits have been received, they are not commensurate with what Lithuania projected. He emphasized the importance of Lithuania focusing on strengthening its economic connections with Taiwan, pointing out the need for a careful approach in fostering these relations in a way that protects Lithuanian citizens and businesses. This stance suggests that Lithuania is navigating a complex geopolitical landscape where balancing ties with Taiwan while managing China relations is crucial.
This discussion arises amid comments from Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė, who supported renaming the Taiwanese Representative Office to reflect its capital's name, Taipei. President Gitanas Nausėda responded that any name change is fundamentally Taiwan's responsibility, indicating that the issue of Taiwan's representation remains sensitive and delves into the larger context of international diplomatic relationships and Lithuania's stance toward China.
