Taiwan has received an action plan from Lithuania outlining priority economic sectors and potential projects to boost bilateral cooperation, Taipei’s representative has told reporters.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has indeed received a cooperation document proposal from the Lithuanian side. The ministry is currently studying and promoting future specific cooperation plans. We need some time for careful deliberation,” said Huang Chun-yao, head of the ministry’s Department of European Affairs.
Last week, the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry declined to provide specific details of the plan, citing its status as a working document, but confirmed it focuses on building sustainable economic ties to support the development of the country’s high-tech sectors.
According to Huang, most of the document’s content has already been discussed and agreed upon.
Asta Skaisgiryte, the Lithuanian president’s chief foreign policy aide, previously said that Vilnius could receive “much more from the Taiwanese than it does now.”
A breakthrough in economic relations was expected as early as 2021, when the Taiwanese Representative Office opened in Vilnius. However, Lithuanian officials have recently complained that Taipei’s investment has been insufficient.
According to Huang, Taiwan has implemented three major investment projects in Lithuania over the past few years in the fields of fintech, biotech and lasers, with a total value exceeding 16.8 million euros.
“In addition, we have loans for enterprises from both sides to invest, operate, or conduct trade in Lithuania, totalling 8 cases with a loan amount of 21 million euros,” he said.
The ministry official added that bilateral trade was also growing.
“In 2025, our imports from Lithuania were approximately $60 million (51.8 million euros), an increase of 63.47% compared to 2024. In the same year, 2025, our exports to Lithuania were $105 million (90.7 million euros), a 13.6% increase compared to 2024,” Huang stated.
“These figures show that we are continuously promoting investment and trade between the two sides, and results are gradually emerging,” he added.
The opening of the Taiwanese Representative Office drew a fierce reaction from China, leading to a downgrade in diplomatic representation and a contraction in trade.
China considers Taiwan its territory and vows to reclaim the island, including by force. Beijing frequently reminds other countries that engagement with Taipei must adhere to the “One China” policy.
The government programme of Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene includes an objective to “restore diplomatic relations with China to the same diplomatic level as in other European Union states.”
Ruginiene has repeatedly stated she sees no reason why the Taiwanese Representative Office could not be renamed using the name of Taipei.
President Gitanas Nauseda said in late March that the issue of the office’s name was settled when it opened, warning that reopening the debate now could risk the closure of the Vilnius facility altogether.
“Regarding the different public opinions expressed within Lithuania, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has no comment. We are making every effort to promote our bilateral relationship,” Huang said.
A Baltijos Tyrimai poll commissioned by LRT and published in March showed that six out of ten residents supported changing the name of the representative office. (LRT)