On their second day in Taiwan, a delegation of parliamentarians from the three Baltic nations paid visits to President Tsai Ing-wen, foreign minister Joseph Wu, and Premier Su Tseng-chang. In his public remarks, the delegation leader said that one word he’d use to describe Taiwan is “determination.”

On their second day in Taiwan, parliamentarians from Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia paid a visit to President Tsai. The president thanked Lithuania for its two-time donation of vaccines during Taiwan’s COVID outbreak, a testament to the friendship between Taiwan and Lithuania.

Tsai Ing-wen
President
This is the first time the parliaments of all three Baltic states have formed a joint delegation to visit Taiwan. Taiwan and the Baltic nations share similar experiences of breaking free from authoritarian rule and fighting for freedom. We understand most profoundly how hard-earned democracy is. The world now faces the expansion of authoritarianism and the threat of disinformation. Taiwan is more than willing to share with our European friends its experience combating disinformation, and together, safeguard our shared values.

Matas Maldeikis, the leader of the delegation, said that Lithuania’s policy toward Taiwan enjoys wide support from the Lithuanian public. He said he hoped to see closer exchanges between the two sides.

Tsai Ing-wen
President
We have lately seen Taiwan and Lithuania engage increasingly closely in many different areas. This month, the Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania officially opened. We expect Lithuania to establish a representative office in Taiwan early next year.

Matas Maldeikis
Lithuanian MP
We are here to express our solidarity with you. The Lithuanian government’s policy toward Taiwan has a wide support in our society. We hope the soon-to-be-open Lithuanian Trade Office in Taiwan will help to expand the partnership between Taiwan and Lithuania, and contribute to a closer relationship between Taiwan and the whole European Union bloc.

Afterward, the delegation was welcomed by foreign minister Joseph Wu. The two sides exchanged ideas on regional security and expanding relations. In the afternoon, they visited Premier Su Tseng-chang for an exchange of gifts. Maldeikis invited Premier Su to visit his country.

Matas Maldeikis
Lithuanian MP
We’ll be glad to see you visit Lithuania, and before that, we just want to give you an album of what you will see when you visit. It’s much worse in winter, so don’t come in winter. Come in summer. And I want to thank the Taiwanese people. We really feel your hearts. One word on what I’m feeling in Taiwan, that would be determination: the determination to go by democracy, human rights, and rule of law.

Su Tseng-chang
Premier
Mr. Chairman, honorable parliamentarians. I’d like to once again express my gratitude to you for advocating for Taiwan internationally through various means and on various occasions.

The delegation will attend the 2021 Open Parliament Forum, which kicks off on Dec. 2. Also on their itinerary are visits to other government agencies such as the National Development Council, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, and the Ministry of Science and Technology. They’ll be in the country for eight days, in a show of international support for Taiwan.