German politician to meet with two Lithuanian ministers, presidential advisers

  • 2022-01-10
  • BNS/TBT Staff

VILNIUS – Franziska Katharina Brantner, parliamentary state secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, is coming to Vilnius on Tuesday to discuss the circumstances behind tensions in relations between Lithuania and China and is due to meet with the ministers of foreign affairs and economy as well as presidential advisers.

She will meet with representatives of the Lithuanian government several weeks after the German-Baltic Chamber of Commerce warned about the problems German investors are facing in Lithuania.

The Foreign Ministry reported on Monday that Gabrielius Landsbergis and the German politician would discuss the issues specific to relations with China.

Brantner will also meet with Lithuania’s Economy and Innovation Minister Ausrine Armonaite to discuss bilateral economic cooperation, trade and investment as well as the challenges faced by Lithuanian businesses due to relations with China.

The presidential office reported that Gitanas Nauseda was not scheduled to meet with Brantner who would hold meetings with his advisers instead.

Germany's position in the Lithuanian-Chinese dispute over the Taiwanese representative office in Vilnius might play a key role. Berlin has good trade relations with China which is important for the German car industry.

German car industry giants Hella and Continental have production facilities in Lithuania.

Both the German foreign minister and Brantner are members of Germany's Greens which are more critical towards the Chinese government.