November 6, 2023
No. 378
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Jaushieh Joseph Wu is visiting Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania from November 6 to 12. In addition to attending the Future of Democracy High-Level Forum on Defending Against Authoritarianism held in Lithuania, he will also deliver public speeches at the Latvian Institute of International Affairs and the International Centre for Defence and Security in Estonia. Through the visit, he will convey the message that the people of Taiwan and the three Baltic nations share a common faith in freedom and democracy, as well as a strong determination to counter authoritarianism.
Also during his trip, Minister Wu will meet with political leaders and scholars to exchange views on a wide variety of political, economic, and social issues in Taiwan and the Baltic states, with a view to bolster already strong bilateral relations.
This year, Marko Mihkelson, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Estonian Riigikogu; Žygimantas Pavilionis, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Lithuanian Seimas; and Rihards Kols, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Latvian Saeima, made a joint trip to Taiwan from August 6 to 11. They were followed by Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, Speaker of the Lithuanian Seimas, who visited from October 22 to 25. These visits highlighted the thriving bilateral exchanges and interactions between Taiwan and the Baltic states.
Reciprocating the friendship shown by Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania, Minister Wu’s trip will open a new chapter in bilateral ties. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to enhance cooperation and exchanges in all domains with the Baltic countries, cementing a solid foundation for democratic alliances and mutually beneficial cooperation. (E)