Speaker of the Seimas stresses at the Taiwanese Parliament that Lithuania’s ambition is to become one of the world’s high value-added economies

Press release, 24 October 2023 

Photo by Olga Posaškova, Office of the Seimas

 

In her address to the parliamentarians of Taiwan, Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, Speaker of the Seimas, stressed that democracy and the protection of international law are primarily the responsibility of states and international institutions, and, by default, this is also the responsibility of democratic parliaments.

 

‘Parliaments can provide a forum for dialogue on the major global challenges facing the world today. By working together with other public institutions, international organisations, civil society and the private sector, parliaments can build consensus and develop policies that would address these challenges in a comprehensive and coordinated way,’ Ms Čmilytė-Nielsen said.

Photo by Olga Posaškova, Office of the Seimas

 

According to the Speaker of the Seimas, her presence in the Taiwanese Parliament speaks of the ties that bind us together in pursuit of common democratic ideals. And shared values bridge the longest geographical distances and bring people together for the common good.

 

‘Nowadays, all means can be helpful in building bridges between democracies, be it COVID-19 vaccine aid, new business connections, cultural exchange or educational cooperation,’ Ms Čmilytė-Nielsen claimed.

 

The Speaker of the Seimas says that it is no coincidence that Lithuania focuses on technology and innovation.

 

‘I told the Taiwanese parliamentarians that our ambition is to become one of the world’s high value-added economies. Lithuania already holds a leading position in the field of lasers and has a strong focus on life sciences, cybersecurity, financial technologies, renewable energy, engineering, and the automotive industry. That is why Lithuania is prepared to be a partner for Taiwan and other interested countries in the Indo-Pacific region,’ Ms Čmilytė-Nielsen explained.

 

On the other hand, according to the Speaker of the Seimas, technologies would facilitate a speedier implementation of Lithuania’s international commitments on sustainable development and green transformation, while successful international cooperation would allow for swifter responses to global challenges, such as climate change or global health crises.

 

‘Only a concerted effort can deliver effective results. For instance, the first Lithuanian-Taiwanese project, which has recently been implemented in Ukraine, enabled rebuilding of a school in Irpin which has opened its doors to up to 700 returning school children. This is the best example of what democracies can do when they work together,’ the Speaker of the Seimas claimed.

Photos by Olga Posaškova, Office of the Seimas

 

Today, the Speaker of the Seimas and the business delegation under her leadership has taken part in a B2B seminar with the Chinese National Association of Industry and Commerce (CNAIC) in Taipei. Later on, they will also have a tour at the Ultrafast Laser Technology Research and Innovation Center.

 

Tomorrow, Ms Čmilytė-Nielsen will give an opening speech at Fintech Taipei 2023, Taiwan’s largest financial technology event, and in the evening she will leave for a visit to Japan.

 

Ilona Petrovė, Spokesperson for Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, Speaker of the Seimas, tel. +370 5 239 6030, mob. +370 698 42071, e-mail: [email protected], www.lrs.lt