Former Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis stressed that if Lithuania’s new administration were to distance itself from Taiwan, the winner would be Beijing. In a media interview, he emphasized that Taiwan and Lithuania should achieve more substantive cooperation results to strengthen relations with the new Lithuanian government.
Landsbergis stated that China is building a system through economic, political, and diplomatic coercion, in which countries can only do what China thinks they should do; even within the framework of international treaties, countries are not allowed to do certain things because China will react badly. Regarding China's recall of its embassy in August 2021 in reaction to Lithuania's agreement to set up a representative office under the name “Taiwan”, he said that any forced name change of the Taiwan Representative Office in Lithuania would be a huge mistake.
Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas has previously said the government would seek to fully restore normal diplomatic relations with China. Landsbergis responded that he would be very disappointed if Lithuania decides to give in to China’s coercion and that he could not imagine how to continue successful relations between Taiwan and Lithuania in such a situation.
Landsbergis said he believes that the world is currently in a second Cold War, and just like the first Cold War, countries are choosing to join alliances; some countries have sided with Russia and some have sided with the West, but it is impossible to join both sides at the same time.
Lithuania's new government took office last month and is led by the former opposition Social Democratic Party. Regarding the outlook for Taiwan-Lithuania relations under the new government, Landsbergis stated that the current relationship between the two countries is on a good track. He elaborated that Lithuanians have a better understanding of Taiwan's geopolitical risks, love of freedom, and democracy. However, he also pointed out that the values-based foreign policy he adopted during his tenure is not popular with everyone and that he believes the current government places more emphasis on pragmatism.
Landsbergis is visiting Taiwan for the first time from January 12 through 16, during which he will meet with President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) and receive the Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon to recognize his contributions to promoting closer ties between Lithuania and Taiwan.