Taiwan is working with Lithuania and other like-minded partners to stand with Ukraine and combat authoritarian expansion, according to Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu.
The government swiftly joined the democratic world’s condemnation of Russian aggression and its international sanctions against the aggressor, Wu said. This was enhanced by the country’s donation of US$33 million to countries assisting Ukraine refugees including the Czech Republic, Hungary and Lithuania, as well as sending humanitarian aid to Poland and Slovakia for those fleeing the conflict, he added.
Wu made the remarks during a virtual interview April 28 with journalists from Lithuanian media outlets including Lithuanian National Radio and Television, Lithuanian Telegram Agency ELTA and Baltic News Service.
According to Wu, the government is closely monitoring developments in Ukraine and any potential action by China. Taiwan is fully committed to defending itself by enhancing asymmetrical combat capabilities while strengthening security cooperation with members of the democratic world, he said.
Regarding Taiwan-Lithuania ties, Wu said positive advances continue as evidenced by the inauguration of the Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania last year and the application filed earlier this year by Lithuania to set up an office in Taiwan.
The two sides’ mutual goodwill is demonstrated by Lithuania’s donation of COVID-19 vaccine doses to Taiwan last year and the country’s import of Lithuanian products earlier this year, Wu said. “Freedom-loving people should look out for each other,” he added, quoting Lithuania Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis’ official Tweet.
The economic relationship between Taiwan and Lithuania is going from strength to strength, Wu said, citing the establishment of a US$200 million strategic investment fund; the country’s trade and investment tour of the EU member state led by National Development Council Minister Kung Ming-hsin last October and the opening of the Lithuania Products Center in the Taipei World Trade Center in April.
In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the MOFA said “Minister Wu briefed top journalists from #Lithuania on relations between #Taiwan & the #EU member state during a video interview. Focus issues included bilateral cooperation, the impact of #Russia’s war against #Ukraine & #China’s coercion. Our thanks to all participants!”
Following the tweet, Foreign Minister Wu further said: “Delighted to meet journalists from half a world away. Facing upheavals caused by authoritarianism, democracies must unite. #Lithuania is a moral giant bravely standing up to coercion & caring for other freedom-loving countries. You’ve won the hearts of the people of #Taiwan.” (YCH-E)
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