Taiwan's foreign ministry said it will continue deepening exchanges with Lithuania despite reports that a bilateral economic cooperation plan has been paused [1, 2].

This development comes as Lithuania seeks to normalize relations with China, creating a delicate diplomatic balancing act for the Baltic state. Because Taiwan and Lithuania have aggressively pursued ties in recent years, any shift in cooperation signals a potential recalibration of Lithuania's foreign policy toward East Asia [1, 2].

The reported suspension of the economic cooperation plan follows the formation of a new coalition government in Lithuania in 2024 [2]. While the pause suggests a shift in priority, officials in Taipei said they have worked to downplay the impact of the move on the broader relationship [1, 2].

Taiwan remains committed to maintaining its ties with the Baltic nation. The foreign ministry said that it intends to pursue further exchanges and cooperation across various sectors, even as the specific economic framework remains in limbo [1, 2].

Lithuania has been engaged in negotiations with China to resolve diplomatic tensions that have persisted for several years [1, 2]. These efforts to stabilize relations with Beijing often conflict with the high-profile diplomatic outreach Lithuania has extended to Taiwan [1, 2].

Despite these pressures, Taipei maintains that the fundamental nature of the partnership remains intact. The ministry said that the suspension of the specific plan does not represent a broader retreat from bilateral engagement [1, 2].

“Taiwan downplays the reported suspension of an economic cooperation plan with Lithuania”

The tension between Lithuania's need for economic stability with China and its diplomatic alignment with Taiwan is reaching a critical point. By downplaying the suspension of the economic plan, Taiwan is attempting to maintain its foothold in the European Union's periphery while acknowledging the reality of Lithuania's shifting coalition priorities.