Lithuanian Leader Cautions Against “Overly Close” Relations with China

(MENAFN) Lithuania’s president on Tuesday cautioned against building excessively close relations with China, warning that such engagement carries clear risks, while also stressing that repairing bilateral ties would require openness from both sides.

Gitanas Nauseda said Lithuania is fully aware of the potential downsides linked to closer interaction with Beijing, stating, “Lithuania sees all the risks associated with overly close engagement with the Chinese regime,” as stated by reports.

He acknowledged that relations between the two countries have sharply deteriorated since Lithuania moved to strengthen its relationship with Taiwan, adding that the current state of affairs is far from desirable. “Diplomatic relations are practically nonexistent,” he said, noting that they have been reduced to a minimal level. However, he emphasized that normalization remains possible, explaining, “They have been downgraded to a very low level, but for those relations to be restored, there has to be willingness from both states,” according to reports.

Turning to the broader European context, Nauseda pointed out that the continent’s reliance on China has repeatedly led to challenges, urging the European Union to adopt a clearer and more consistent stance toward Beijing. He argued that previous attempts to label China simultaneously as a partner, rival, and adversary have created confusion. “It is not possible to assess it in a way that for some time was very popular -- seeing China simultaneously as an economic partner, a competitor and a strategic adversary. When those three roles appear, it is easy to get lost among them,” he explained.

The Lithuanian president also addressed relations with Belarus, accusing Minsk of remaining closely aligned with Russia, continuing to detain political prisoners, and being responsible for repeated security disturbances along Lithuania’s border, including incidents involving smuggled balloons.

With the European Union expected to make a decision later this month, Nauseda signaled a firm stance on punitive measures, saying, “With the European Union set to decide in late February, I will be among those who most firmly demand the extension of these sanctions,” as stated by reports.

He cited a recent incident in which Lithuania’s main airport was forced to halt operations multiple times in a single evening due to the latest balloon intrusion, underscoring ongoing security concerns.

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