Lithuania Resumes Economic Talks with Taiwan After Government Change

Lithuania has resumed negotiations with the Taiwanese Representative Office on an economic cooperation action plan, the country's Foreign Ministry announced. The talks were temporarily paused in June due to the restructuring of the cabinet under the new Social Democrat-led government. The ministry stated that strengthening economic cooperation with Taiwan remains a long-term foreign policy priority. Once negotiations are completed, Lithuania aims to sign the action plan, which focuses on building sustainable economic ties and supporting the development of high-tech sectors. Specific details are being withheld while consultations continue. Lithuania's position on Taiwan remains unchanged, and it seeks to deepen practical cooperation in trade, business, education, science, culture, and people-to-people exchanges. Earlier, officials hoped to finalize the plan by the end of May and sign it in June before the pause. Since the opening of the Taiwanese Representative Office in Vilnius in 2021, both sides have sought stronger economic ties. However, some Lithuanian officials have recently expressed frustration over the slower-than-expected pace of Taiwanese investment. The office's opening led to a deterioration in Lithuania's relations with China, as Beijing viewed the use of the name "Taiwanese" instead of "Taipei" as support for Taiwan's international ambitions.