- TAIWANTODAY.TW - Top News - 01/Jul 00:00

VP Hsiao receives Lithuania parliamentary delegation

Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim said July 7 that Taiwan is committed to working with Lithuania to strengthen societal resilience while deepening bilateral cooperation.   Hsiao made the remarks while meeting with a group from the Seimas, Lithuania’s legislature, at the Presidential Office in Taipei City. Led by Ruslanas Baranovas, chair of the Lithuania-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group, the delegation includes Giedrimas Jeglinskas, chair of the Committee on National Security and Defense, and Matas Maldeikis, vice chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs.   Taiwan and Lithuania share many similarities, Hsiao said, noting that both countries contend with complex geopolitics and face much larger neighboring countries that threaten their democracies along multiple vectors. She added that Taiwan has conducted exchanges with Lithuania over the past years on measures to mutually strengthen defense capabilities.   According to the vice president, Lithuania is the first country in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to commit to increasing its defense spending. President Lai Ching-te has also vowed to raise Taiwan’s defense budget and seek more creative and innovative ways to advance the country’s asymmetric defense capabilities, she said.   Hsiao went on to say that challenges to resilience, like extreme climate and natural disasters, require cooperation to address effectively, and concluded by expressing hope that Taiwan and Lithuania would continue to share experiences and promote collaboration across the board.   During the group members’ six-day stay, they will meet with Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung, Defense Minister Wellington Koo, Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming, Minister of the Mainland Affairs Council Chiu Chui-cheng and Legislative Yuan Vice President Johnny C. Chiang. The Lithuanian lawmakers will also attend events hosted by National Security Council Secretary-General Jaushieh Joseph Wu and Deputy Foreign Minister François Chih-chung Wu. (YCH-E)   Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw