Feb 18 • 12:39 UTC 🇱🇹 Lithuania Lrytas

I. Ruginienė does not change her position on the Taiwanese representation after criticism

I. Ruginienė maintains her stance on the Taiwanese representation amidst criticism, advocating for discussions on the matter.

I. Ruginienė, speaking to journalists at the government office, acknowledged that there are differing opinions regarding the Taiwanese representation in Lithuania and noted that a mistake had been made in the haste of the decision. She emphasized the need for discussions on the issue, while simultaneously suggesting that there are no clear financial benefits arising from the establishment of the Taiwanese representative office, pointing out that it may still be too early to draw conclusions about its effectiveness. Ruginienė's comments indicate a cautious approach to the ongoing debate, balancing the acknowledgment of past errors with a desire to explore further possibilities.

Furthermore, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda responded to Ruginienė's comments, suggesting that discussions about potentially changing the name of the Taiwanese representative office are possible but highlighted the need to consider the potential for negative repercussions that could follow such a change. This demonstrates a government grappling with the complexities of international representation and the geopolitical implications that may arise from its decisions, especially concerning relations with China.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Seimas, Juozas Olekas, echoed the sentiment against hastily changing the name of the Taiwanese representation. He suggested that rushing such a move might not yield positive results and recommended a careful approach in evaluating the impact of the Taiwanese office. Olekas’s comments add to the discourse on statecraft and national interest, indicating internal divisions within Lithuania's leadership on how best to navigate its international relationships amid external pressures.

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