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On 29 May, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius participated in a video conference of the EU Foreign Affairs Ministers and discussed the EU-China relationship, the situation in the Asia and Pacific region, and Afghanistan.

Ministers underlined that the EU-China relationship should be based on trust and mutual respect. Human rights, democracy, and the rule of law must remain on the EU-China agenda. In addition, the EU has to act unanimously to defend these values and to seek China’s compliance with agreements and norms of international law.

Foreign Ministers stressed that economic relations with China had to be based on the principles of non-discrimination and fair competition. This requires to ensure a level playing field and to open up access to the Chinese market. The EU also needs to establish a robust, trusted investment monitoring mechanism to protect its strategic infrastructure.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the vulnerability of international trade and supply chains, as well as the risk of dependence on China. It is, therefore, necessary to enhance the EU’s strategic independence, diversify global supply chains, and enhance global trade instruments, so that we do not become a hostage to such crisis situations," said L. Linkevičius.

Lithuania’s Foreign Minister expressed great concern about restrictions on democracy and human rights in Tibet, Xinjiang, and Hong Kong. The EU must strongly condemn China’s decision to impose the new national security law on Hong Kong, which erodes the city’s autonomy.

The Foreign Minister L. Linkevičius also highlighted the importance of the perspective of Euro-Atlantic relations in developing ties with China and the need to coordinate joint actions with the strategic partner – the USA.

Foreign Ministers also discussed recent developments in Afghanistan.