Lithuania’s decision to suspend negotiations on an economic cooperation plan with Taiwan has cast fresh doubt over one of Taipei’s most celebrated foreign relations breakthroughs as the Baltic state’s incoming government seeks more pragmatic ties with Beijing.
Lithuania’s foreign ministry said on Monday that negotiations on an economic cooperation action plan with Taiwan had been temporarily suspended by mutual agreement because of changes in the European country’s domestic political environment following the formation of a new coalition government.
It said talks could resume once the incoming administration formally took office and its governing programme received parliamentary approval.
Taiwan’s foreign ministry sought to project confidence despite the uncertainty. Spokesman Hsiao Kuang-wei confirmed the suspension on Tuesday but stressed that Taipei would continue to maintain close communication with Vilnius on the proposed action plan.
Responding to reports that Lithuania could permit Beijing to re-establish a representative office or seek changes to the name of Taiwan’s representative office in Vilnius, Hsiao said ties between the two sides had continued to expand since the reciprocal opening of representative offices.
“Friendly cooperation between Taiwan and Lithuania will not be affected by any third party,” he said, adding that Taipei would continue to pursue practical cooperation aimed at strengthening the economic and democratic resilience of both sides.
