New Southbound Policy Portal
A Formosa Club letter urging the heads of the European Commission, Council and Parliament to support the development of Taiwan-Lithuania ties is warmly welcomed by the government and people, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Aug. 26.
Signed by the club’s co-chairs and lawmakers in the EP and 27 national parliaments across Europe and in Canada, the letter states solidarity with Lithuania in the face of China’s intensifying campaign of coercion. It further calls on the EU and NATO to take an active approach in supporting the Baltic state’s decision to grow economic and cultural relations with Taiwan.
Describing Taiwan as a like-minded partner of the EU and a global leader in public health and advanced manufacturing, the letter argues that the international community only stands to benefit from the country’s friendly engagement with Lithuania.
According to the MOFA, Taiwan and Lithuania are defending democracy on the front lines in Asia and Europe, respectively. They are also forging even closer ties by supporting one another in combating COVID-19, the ministry said.
The government will continue working with fellow forces for good like the EU, Japan and U.S. in countering hybrid attacks from authoritarian regimes, the MOFA said. At the same time, every effort is to be made in deepening friendship and expanding exchanges between Taiwan and Lithuania, the ministry added.
In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the MOFA said “We applaud the principled stance of @_TheFormosaClub co-chairs & members from @Europarl_EN & 27 national parliaments on supporting #Lithuania& its decision to develop relations with #Taiwan. All freedom- & democracy-loving countries must unite in resisting authoritarianism!” (SFC-E)
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