Deputy Foreign Minister Roy Chun Lee hosted a banquet welcoming Lithuanian Vice Agriculture Minister Vytenis Tomkus at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters June 15 in Taipei City, the MOFA said.
Taiwan and Lithuania have made great strides in cooperation in agriculture, evidenced by the government’s decision to open up to Lithuanian exports of aquatic, dairy and egg products to Taiwan last year; and to beef and eggs earlier this year, Lee said. He added that he believed the two countries have potential for further collaboration in the fields of machinery, technology and software development.
In response, Tomkus expressed appreciation for the hospitality which greeted him and praised the achievements of the inaugural Taiwan-Lithuania Agricultural Working Group Meeting held earlier in the day. The two like-minded partners exchanged views on strategies related to agricultural net-zero carbon emissions and reached consensus on multiple issues such as deepening bilateral agricultural trade during the meeting.
The MOFA said ministers also discussed industrial development, investment opportunities and the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on the economy during the banquet, adding that Tomkus’ itinerary in Taiwan included attending Food Taipei 2023 and visiting agricultural research institutions.
The trip marks the sixth visit of Lithuania’s vice minister-level officials to Taiwan over the past year, following that by Vice Minister of Economy and Innovation Karolis Zemaitis in February, the MOFA said. The government will continue to strengthen partnerships with Lithuania based on the shared values that enhance democratic resilience, the ministry added.
Following the banquet, Taiwan and Lithuania signed a memorandum of understanding on agricultural cooperation June 16 in Taipei City.
Hosted by Lee, the pact was inked by Taiwan Rep. to Lithuania Eric Huang and Paulius Lukauskas, head of the Lithuanian Trade Representative Office in Taipei. The Cabinet-level Council of Agriculture Deputy Minister Tu Wen-jane and Tomkus were also in attendance.
Under the MOU, the two sides will conduct regular exchanges on agricultural policies and innovative technology, as well as market access and trade facilitation, according to the COA. (YCH-E)
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