Beijing Does Not Believe in Tears: Vilnius Seeks Help in Providing Consular Services in China 0 6

"We do not have an answer yet, but we understand that, apparently, the main obstacle (...) is the name of the Taiwanese representation," said Remigijus Motuzas, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Seimas, to journalists on Wednesday.

According to the politician, the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has approached the ministries of several other countries with a request for their representations to provide consular services in China.

"At a technical level, work on this diplomatic representation is underway, but what is new in this context is that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has intensified its activities, (appealing – BNS) to some foreign countries with a request for them to serve our citizens on consular matters, that is, on visa issuance or consular assistance, as such a need exists both from Lithuanian citizens and from Chinese citizens," he said.

Motuzas also noted that it will inevitably be necessary to return to normalizing relations with Beijing due to the influence of the country's economy, as well as pressure from Lithuanian businesses that would like to invite Chinese representatives but cannot do so due to the lack of a diplomatic representation.

According to the committee chairman, consular assistance is also needed for two Lithuanian citizens who are in Chinese prisons.

BNS reported that in recent years, there have been disagreements between Vilnius and Beijing regarding the restoration of diplomatic representations in both countries.

In June, then-Prime Minister Paluckas mentioned that a proposal for normalizing representation had been presented to China, but did not disclose details.

However, the former prime minister claimed that it does not provide for changing the name of the Taiwanese representation opened in Lithuania in the fall of 2021, which became the cause of the quarrel between Beijing and Vilnius. This was also assured by his successor, Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė.

In September, she promised BNS to try to pressure China for a response.

In Ruginienė's government program, the rhetoric towards China was softened, and there was a declaration of intent to normalize diplomatic representation with this country.

The Seimas Foreign Affairs Committee, in particular, discussed behind closed doors the implementation of Lithuania's strategy in the Indo-Pacific region.

Motuzas says that Lithuania has managed to strengthen its influence in the region. According to the politician, the diplomatic representation has been expanded, new diplomats and a trade attaché have been appointed.