Landsbergis: Lithuania to seek common position of US and EU over possible boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics
A corresponding decision would be made in the event of tensions between Lithuania and China, when the Taiwanese mission started operating in Vilnius last week. This has enraged Beijing, which sees Taiwan as a rebel province and opposes any action by other states that actually or symbolically strengthen Taiwan’s independence.
“Frankly, there has been no such discussion yet,” Landsbergi told The Washington Post when he and others would travel to Beijing in February to watch the Winter Olympics. – In fact, I do not see any diplomats or officials queuing up and going on fire. But I don’t think Beijing is burning to accept us. “
U.S. President Biden has said his administration is considering a possible diplomatic boycott of the Games, and more countries like Canada and the United Kingdom (UK) say they intend to take similar action.
“EU and transatlantic coordination is needed at least to some extent to determine our position,” Landsberg said.
Beijing has repeatedly expressed its opposition to the opening of a Taiwanese representation in Lithuania and, protesting against such a move, officially at the level of diplomatic relations with Vilnius – from the ambassador to the interim trustee. According to G. Landsbergis, such a step by the country was probable, but China is also doing a lot of money for Lithuania.
“It’s pretty disgusting because China isn’t based on its international rules for imposing sanctions or reporting a cause … And now nothing has been reported,” the foreign minister added.
G. Landsbergis to ensure the meeting of the Lithuanian-US strategic dialogue on Indian-Pacific issues in Washington. In a statement issued later, Emily Horim, a spokeswoman for the U.S. National Security Council, said the two sides had discussed their “shared commitment to the values of democracy, human rights and support for an order based on international rules.”
After the dispute with China broke out, the United States offered Lithuania a trade agreement, and during the Landsberg’s visit, both countries also signed 600 million. Impaired export guarantees for direct loans with the Export-Import Bank of the United States.
The United States and the West have been pushing for a coordinated boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics for some time. Some politicians have called for widespread protest and are sending neither diplomats nor athletes to the Games.
Mr Landsberg, for his part, called on democracies to unite against China and coordinate their actions. However, he acknowledged that there were differences of opinion in the EU, with some countries, including Hungary, developing cooperation with Beijing and others pursuing vague policies.
However, the minister added that “the EU is currently trying to reach a consensus” on China.
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