Sinkevičius praises Budrys, seeks China breakthrough by year-end

Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius says he is satisfied with Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys’s work and hopes for a breakthrough in Lithuania’s relations with China by the end of the year, LRT reported, citing an interview with BNS.

Sinkevičius said Lithuania had drawn up a plan to restore diplomatic representation in its relations with China, with specific actions and deadlines. December is the target for clear progress, he said, but cautioned that the outcome was not solely in Lithuania’s hands and that such matters take time.

The prime minister declined to give details of the plan, saying the government had learned from past experience and was now avoiding public discussion of its work. He neither confirmed nor denied that talks had resumed over the name of Taiwan’s representative office in Lithuania. Budrys is responsible for meetings and negotiations with China, Sinkevičius said.

Sinkevičius said Budrys was doing a good job, adding that the foreign minister’s work extended beyond relations with China and included developing new partnerships. He had previously said he expected progress in restoring diplomatic relations before Lithuania takes over the presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2027.

Relations between Lithuania and China deteriorated in autumn 2021, when Vilnius allowed Taiwan to open a representative office in the capital under the name Taiwanese Representative Office. Similar offices in other countries use the name Taipei. China then downgraded its diplomatic representation in Lithuania from ambassador to chargé d’affaires. Lithuania later stopped issuing new accreditations to Chinese diplomats, and no Chinese diplomats have been in the country since May last year.