Vilnius: Lithuania's decision to allow Taiwan's representative office in Vilnius to use the name "Taiwanese" instead of "Taipei" was described as a "tactical mistake" but not inherently wrong, according to Lithuanian lawmaker Ruslanas Baranovas. The statement comes amid ongoing discussions about the diplomatic implications of this naming decision. According to Focus Taiwan, Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene earlier expressed that Lithuania, as the first European country to open a Taiwanese Representative Office with this naming convention, had miscalculated by not aligning with the European Union and the United States strategies. She emphasized that the decision was not well-received internationally, a sentiment echoed in a report by The Baltic Times. During an interview conducted by CNA with a delegation of eight European lawmakers visiting Taipei, Baranovas clarified that despite Prime Minister Ruginiene's strong comments, there is no intention to close the office or change its name. He emphasized the ongoing strategic partnership between Taiwan and Lithuania, underscoring that their friendship remains intact. Baranovas, representing the ruling Social Democratic Party and a member of the Lithuanian Legislature's Taiwan friendship caucus, reiterated Lithuania's adherence to the "One China" principle while maintaining that the country is "a free country" and open to dialogue with China. Baranovas pointed to his party's 2024 platform, which supports the continued existence of the Taiwanese Representative Office in Vilnius as a trade and economic entity without diplomatic status. This aligns with the broader Lithuanian goal of restoring diplomatic relations with Beijing. Žygimantas Pavilionis, a former Lithuanian diplomat and current opposition lawmaker, remarked on the legal standing of the office, emphasizing that it is not an embassy and thus does not differ legally from other Taiwanese institutions. Further weighing in on the discussion, Aleksi Jäntti and Till Steffen, lawmakers from Finland and Ger many respectively, argued that the focus should be on substantive cooperation rather than the semantics of the office's name. Jäntti stressed the importance of values and practical actions, while Steffen highlighted Taiwan's investments in Europe, such as those by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), as significant developments in bilateral relations.