Lithuania announces second vaccine donation to Taiwan

Lithuania announced on Wednesday that it will donate a second batch of 235,900 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine to Taiwan in a gesture that reflects warming ties between the two countries.

The shipment is scheduled to arrive in Taiwan in October. The eastern European country’s first donation of 20,000 doses of the same brand arrived in Taiwan on July 31.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte said the latest donation was part of her country’s efforts to assist other countries in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Global vaccines equity and solidarity are crucial in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, which, unfortunately, continues to disrupt the lives of people and countries around the world,” she stressed.

The Taipei Mission in the Republic of Latvia, which is also in charge of promoting relations with Lithuania, tweeted later the same day that: “Even though this donation seems to be another manifestation of virtuous circle, we are still most grateful for Lithuanian double generosity.”

In Taipei, Presidential Office spokesman Xavier Chang (???) said on Wednesday night that Taiwan again appreciates Lithuania’s firm support for Taiwan despite the long distance between the two countries.

“The warm friendship between diplomatic partners knows no border,” he said.

This second donation of COVID-19 vaccine again displays Lithuania’s love for democracy and its strong and warm support for diplomatic partners, Chang said, adding that the “circle of good” between the two countries will definitely overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said in a statement issued late Wednesday that a trade delegation being organized by the government plans to visit three central and eastern European countries in October, including Lithuania, to explore bilateral commerce and investment opportunities.

The two countries, meanwhile, are set to reciprocate representative offices by the end of this year in a show of solidarity between democratic nations, MOFA said.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel