Lithuania is one of the countries in the world that can say it is "China-free", Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis told investors on Thursday.
"I think that in the short to medium term, let's say until 2030, this will be an advantage,” the country’s top diplomat told a forum organised by the US Chamber of Commerce in Vilnius.
Lithuanian-Chinese relations deteriorated last year when Taiwan opened a trade office in Vilnius under the island's name. In response, China cut down diplomatic and economic ties with Lithuania, although bilateral trade volumes have recently been growing again.
Asked what strategy Vilnius should adopt toward China and Taiwan, Landsbergis said democratic and non-democratic countries treat business differently.
"My thinking is that a rule-based social order must be universal and it cannot be fragmented,” the foreign minister said.
He claimed the government had "opened some doors in Taiwan".
"Now it is up to our government and our business people to go through it", Lithuania's top diplomat said, adding that foreign firms should not turn away from Lithuania due to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
"We are part of the strongest military and defence alliance. NATO is a guarantee of security not only for any Lithuanian [person], but also for our partners who are looking for an answer whether Lithuania is a safe place," Landsbergis said.
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