Article Author:
Reuters
Augustas Stankevicius
VILNIUS — Latvia and Estonia on Thursday withdrew from cooperation frameworks between China and more than 10 Central and Eastern European countries, following Lithuania's footsteps Did. Withdrew in May last year.
The move has been criticized by the West for increasing military pressure on Taiwan, a democratically administered island that China claims is its territory. It was done while
"Past participation in the 16+1 format did not bring the desired economic results," Latvia's foreign ministry told Reuters.
Relations between Lithuania and China soured after the Baltics allowed the opening of a de facto embassy in Taiwan late last year.
"Latvia's continued participation in China-led cooperation frameworks with Central and Eastern European countries is no longer in line with our strategic objectives in the current international environment," he added.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the two countries said they would continue to strive for a "constructive and pragmatic relationship with China" while respecting the rules-based international order and human rights. rice field.
Estonia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs was not available for further comment.
The Chinese embassies in Riga, Latvia and Tallinn, Estonia did not respond to requests for comment.
The European Union, which sees China as a strategic rival in some areas, is trying to persuade Beijing to reform the World Trade Organization's trade rules. sanctions on the MEPs of the European Parliament and punishing Lithuania economically.
Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia continue to work together. (Reporting by Augustas Stankevicius and Terje Solvik; Writing by Joanna Plucinska; Editing by Josie Kao)
