A delegation led by Lithuanian Vice Minister of the Economy and Innovation Karolis Zemaitis yesterday commenced a five-day visit to Taiwan aimed at seeking economic and technological cooperation.
Zemaitis, who worked as an adviser to Lithuanian Minister of Economy and Innovation Ausrine Armonaite before taking on the new post this month, and 27 government officials and representatives from laser and biotechnology companies arrived in Taiwan on Sunday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
The visit was “a display of Taiwan and Lithuania being faithful partners at the front line of democracy,” the ministry said in a statement.
Photo: Cheng I-hwa, AFP
“Taiwan and Lithuania will join hands to foster win-win development in global cutting-edge industries,” it said.
While authoritarian regimes are exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic, the war between Russia and Ukraine and the energy and food crisis to threaten democracy, freedom and the rule of law, Taiwan and Lithuania would adhere to their shared values, it added.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) was to hold a banquet to welcome the delegation, which plans to visit the National Development Council and the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the statement said.
Photo: Tien Yu-hua, Taipei Times
The delegation also plans to visit research institutions and laser technology and biotechnology companies, competitive industries in both Taiwan and Lithuania, to explore opportunities for cooperation, it said.
It is the fourth Lithuanian delegation to visit Taiwan this year, following visits led by Lithuanian Vice Minister of Agriculture Egidijus Giedraitis and Lithuanian Vice Minister of Economy and Innovation Jovita Neliupsiene in June, and Lithuanian Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications Agne Vaiciukeviciute last month, the ministry said.
The ministry did not say whether the visit had anything to do with the opening of the Lithuanian Trade Representative Office in Taipei.
The office was reportedly to be opened yesterday, but no detailed plans had been announced.
Lithuanian officials only confirmed that the office would be opened this month.
The Lithuanian national flag was flying outside the World Trade Center in Taipei yesterday.
Paulius Lukauskas, who is to head the office, has arrived in Taiwan and would start arranging the opening of the office after finishing his COVID-19 quarantine, sources familiar with the issue said.
Taiwan’s ties with the Baltic state have become warmer over the past years and Taiwan established the Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania on Nov. 18 last year.
Additional reporting by CNA
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