Taiwan hopes for ‘robust and close relations’ with Baltic states, Tsai Ing-wen tells visiting lawmakers
- Taiwanese president also says they ‘share similar experiences of breaking free of authoritarian rule and fighting for freedom’
- Delegation from Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia are on an eight-day trip to the island and will attend a legislative forum in Taipei
She said those exchanges included Lithuania inviting former Taiwanese vice-president Chen Chien-jen to speak at a democracy forum in Vilnius on November 19, and Taiwan sending a trade and investment delegation to Lithuania last month where agreements were signed to cooperate on semiconductors, satellites and biotechnology.
The Baltic lawmakers, including six from Lithuania, arrived in Taiwan on Sunday for the eight-day visit. The delegation is being led by Matas Maldeikis, head of the Lithuanian parliament’s Taiwan Friendship Group, and they will attend a legislative forum in Taipei on Thursday and Friday.
Taiwan does not have diplomatic relations with Europe, except for the Vatican. Beijing – which sees Taiwan as part of its territory, to be brought under its control by force if necessary – has for years warned European and other nations against having official contacts with the self-ruled island.
“Taiwan and the Baltic nations share similar experiences of breaking free of authoritarian rule and fighting for freedom,” Tsai told her guests on Monday.
She said as the world faced challenges caused by expanding authoritarianism and threats from disinformation, Taiwan was “more than willing to share its experience of combating disinformation with its European friends”.
“We must safeguard our shared values to ensure a free and democratic way of life,” she said, adding that her administration hoped to work with the Baltic states for “robust and close relations”.
In response, Maldeikis said the lawmakers were in Taiwan to “express our solidarity for you”. He said the Lithuanian government’s policy on Taiwan had wide support in his country and that the two sides should further strengthen ties.
“We hope the soon-to-be-opened Lithuanian trade office in Taiwan will help to expand the partnership between Taiwan and Lithuania and contribute to closer relations between Taiwan and the whole European Union bloc,” he said.
Other Baltic lawmakers in the delegation include Janis Vucans and Juri Jaanson, members of parliament and chairs of Taiwan friendship groups in Latvia and Estonia, respectively.
The group will join lawmakers from Belize and Mexico for the two-day legislative forum, Taiwan’s foreign ministry said. Experts, academics and lawmakers from other countries – including Argentina, Australia, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Japan, Sri Lanka, the UK and the US – will also take part, either in person or online.