Conservatives criticize Nauseda’s statement on the name of the Taiwanese mission
G.Nausėda: it was a mistake
“I don’t think the opening of the Taiwanese office was a mistake, but a name that was not agreed with me,” the president told News Radio on Tuesday.
Mr Nausėda noted that both Lithuania and Taiwan could open missions without diplomatic status, but regretted that “the name of the mission has become a key factor in our relations with China.”
“The main spark was a more visible name and now we are already fighting the consequences and I would say that unconventional measures have been applied against Lithuania, and why it is active and sends a very clear signal to the European Union that this is an attack, some pressure . to one of the EU countries, ”the president said.
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Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabrielius Landsbergis does not comment on G. Nausėda’s statement, and Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė promised to submit the comment on Wednesday, after the Government meeting.
R.Morkūnaitė-Mikulėnienė: “consistent inconsistency”
“It simply came to our notice then. I only notice that the position of head of state is again a position. The same thing was said a couple of months ago:
“Lithuania’s position to establish a Taiwanese economic representation in Vilnius has not changed,” said G. Nausėda.
At the beginning of November, President Biden apparently welcomed Lithuania’s position, as the President of Lithuania was pleased that the United States supports and supports Lithuania’s decision on Taiwan,
“Is that appropriate? Which is the real opinion? How to catch not only here in Lithuania, but a question for those who follow it outside? When is the President sincere, and when does his opinion not affect his own beliefs, but some kind of assessment from one or another commentator? ”R. Morkūnaitė-Mikulėnienė asks.
“I also remind you that at the end of October G.Nausėda emphasized that Lithuania’s position to establish a Taiwanese economic representation in Vilnius had not changed.
“Our position is unchanged because it is the position of a sovereign independent state,” the president told reporters at the end of October.
G.Nausėda also noted that China has reacted irritably to Lithuania’s initiative to establish a business representative office on behalf of Taiwan. According to the President, Lithuania supports the idea of ”One China” and seeks to develop economic and cultural relations with Taiwan as a sovereign state. “
He says today that the name of the agency is a mistake. It is a mistake to make such statements and change opinions, ”says the Conservative.
M.Lingė: foreign policy on demand
Conservative M.Lingė ironically in his account on Facebook that “G.Nausėda has elected three points in 2024 today. program “.
According to M. Lingė, it consists of:
„1. Foreign policy will be on demand *
2. Domestic policies will criticize, blackmail and harm the Government
3. Pensions must increase
* 2021 October 27 Elta’s report: “G. Nausėda also noted that China must react irritably to Lithuania’s initiative to establish a business representative office on behalf of Taiwan. “
Today: “The name of the Taiwanese mission was a mistake.”
M.Maldeikis: a small misunderstanding
Conservative, Chairman of the Seimas Parliamentary Relations Group with the Republic of China (Taiwan) M. Maldeikis states in his Facebook account that “In foreign policy, our positions coincide with the President on a large number of points. There is a coincidence between it and the Chinese threats and the Taiwanese mission. “
“The President is right. The president did not object to the opening of a Taiwanese mission under that name, as otherwise it would not have happened. This is clearly demonstrated by the positions he expressed already after the summer, when as much was read from the press and the name was reconciled.
In a strong interview with Nausėda in the Financial Times at the beginning of the autumn, already knowing that the mission would be called Taiwanese, the President said that Lithuania was under pressure from Belarus and China at the same time, and this was probably not a coincidence.
“Sometimes our neighbors and some other countries really like those principles and values. However, we cannot choose another path. That is our way. We are well aware that this is not the easiest way. “
In October, G. Nausėda noted that China had responded irritably to Lithuania’s initiative to establish a business representative office on behalf of Taiwan. According to the President, Lithuania supports the idea of ”One China” and seeks to develop economic and cultural relations with Taiwan as a sovereign state.
Just a month ago, the President regretted the decision of the Chinese authorities, stressing that “I think Lithuania is clear enough about its decision on the Taiwanese mission. He introduced, commented and emphasized that this does not conflict with the principle of one China, which we adhere to. “
After the last EVS, the President said that “we are doing what other countries are doing,” the President said about the opening of a Taiwanese office in Vilnius. – Lithuania has the right to establish and nurture economic and cultural relations with those regions with which it wishes to nurture them. I reiterate that the establishment of a Taiwanese mission is not a diplomatic mission and is a matter of widespread Taiwanese diplomatic recognition. “
I also very much agree with his thoughts after the meeting with US President Biden in early October, where he made it clear at the meeting that he supported the Taiwanese mission and that ‘US support for this issue is guaranteed to us in every way’.
I think today’s statement by the president is a minor misunderstanding. Lapsus linguae “, writes M. Maldeikis.
A. Kubilius: lack of professionalism or jealousy
The former Prime Minister A. Kubilius did not spare the criticism of the President.
“I wonder how, as President, one can approve of the opening of a Taiwanese mission and not ask the Ministry of Foreign Affairs what the name of the mission will sound like?
If you did not ask – it is a clear lack of professionalism. And if it is otherwise, it is either the lack of a spine or pure human jealousy, ”A. Kubilius writes in his Facebook account.