Lithuanian Parliament Speaker Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen addressed Taiwan's legislature on Tuesday in a speech titled Beyond Borders: Vitality of Democratic Cooperation, in which she emphasized shared beliefs between Lithuania and Taiwan. Legislative Speaker You Si-kun (游錫堃) presented Čmilytė-Nielsen with an honorary medal recognizing her contributions to advancing Taiwan-Lithuania relations.
Čmilytė-Nielsen pointed to Lithuania's upcoming 20th anniversary of joining the European Union and its commitment to principles of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. She also drew attention to the European Parliament's acknowledgment of Taiwan as a partner and democratic ally in the Indo-Pacific, advocating for expanded cooperation across various fields.
Moreover, Čmilytė-Nielsen expressed concerns about threats to international law and acts of aggression. She said the way the international community responds to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a critical indicator of the direction of international relations. She called for support for Ukraine and urged collaborative efforts to address ongoing global challenges.
Čmilytė-Nielsen expressed her willingness to establish relations with Taiwan to demonstrate the potential of democratic countries, build strength, and resilience, and promote progress.