Lithuania's trade rep in Taipei to start working in several months

VILNIUS - The head Lithuanian trade representative office in Taiwan's capital, Taipei, will start working in late summer or the fall, Economy and Innovation Minister Ausrine Armonaite says.

"Realistically, with all the procedures in place, we will be able to physically send a representative there in late summer or the fall," Armonaite told during the Government Hour in the Seimas on Thursday. "Since we are sending an official representative, a civil servant, we need to hold a competition."

Representing the ruling Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats, MP Jurgis Razma asked the minister why the opening of the representatives office was delayed, adding that "it would have been reasonable to open it when there was the biggest upsurge" after the opening of the Taiwanese mission in Vilnius last autumn.

In response, the minister said the opening required an official letter from the Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "It was received not that long ago, actually," Armonaite said.