President Tsai Ing-wen said Jan. 12 that the government is committed to deepening partnership with Lithuania while strengthening democratic resilience across the globe.
Taiwan and Lithuania have both established mutual representative offices recently, Tsai said, adding that such tangible actions have shown the world the two sides’ determination to work together as democratic partners.
Tsai made the remarks while receiving Laurynas Kasciunas, chair of the of the Lithuania parliament’s Committee on National Security and Defense, and his delegation at the Presidential Office in Taipei City.
Two-way ties have gone from strength to strength, Tsai said, citing a trade and investment mission led by Minister Kung Ming-hsin of the National Development Council to Lithuania as well as visits made by the Lithuanian Vice Ministers of Agriculture, Transport and Communications, and of Economy and Innovation to Taiwan.
According to Tsai, Taiwan is willing and able to share its experience of facing authoritarianism with allies around the world. Enhancing cooperation is the way to defend the democratic way of life, she said.
Tsai took the opportunity to thank the Lithuania government and parliament for speaking out for Taiwan on the global stage on many occasions and for supporting the country’s international participation.
In response, Kasciunas described Taiwan as an island of democracy and freedom. As both countries are on geopolitical frontlines, possibilities, opportunities and a need to work together have emerged. (DL-E)
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