European Central: Lithuania, A Small Country With A Big Voice
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Despite being a small Baltic nation with a population of slightly under 3 million, Lithuania’s government has no problem in voicing its opinion to superpowers. Lithuanian politicians are making their grievances clear with China and Russia, while other European countries have been timid. Part of this courage may come from Lithuania’s history.
Along with other Eastern European nations, Lithuania lost its independence and became part of the Soviet Union in 1940, only regaining independence in 1990. Despite the hardships the nation has faced, Lithuania also gained valuable experience that other European nations do not have due to its history under Russian rule several times. The country has learned the importance of standing up to authoritarian regimes, as this Lithuania earns respect from this approach. Lithuanians have had firsthand experience with repression from Russia and understand the importance of supporting other countries in the same position. This can explain why after Russian President Putin banned foodstuff imports from the European Union, Lithuania successfully found new markets and shift exportation from Russia. This has enabled Lithuanian politicians to be more vocal about their disapproval of actions taken by the Chinese and Russian governments.
China and the 17 + 1 format
The 17 + 1 format brings together China and 17 countries in Central Europe, the Baltics, and the Balkans. The purpose of this initiative has never been clearly defined but has been viewed by the United States as a way for China to gain influence in Europe. When China created the format with 16 countries (Greece joined later), these countries had high hopes. They thought China would invest in their countries while they struggled to attract investment from the West.
Over ten years later, Lithuania and other countries feel there have been no benefits. Instead, the project is now perceived as divisive due to European Countries having different opinions on China. Žygimantas Pavilionis, chairman of Lithuania’s parliamentary committee on foreign affairs, mentions the concern that China aims to control strategic infrastructure in other countries. Other countries are also concerned about working too closely with China, which may drive a wedge between these 17 countries and the United States. This is because the United States is viewed as vital to the security of these countries. Bulgaria, Estonia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovenia countries sent lower-ranking ministers instead of President or Prime Minister to a 17 + 1 summit with China. This was to signify their disapproval with the progress that has been made so far. Countries are starting to feel the 17 + 1 format consists of unfulfilled promises made by China, and the annual summit is a way for China to save face and pretend the initiative has been a success when it really has not. Some critics feel that China included Greece in the 17 + 1 format so China can point to its work on the Piraeus Port. Estonia has also questioned how useful the initiative is, as only 1.2 percent of Estonian exports are sent to China.
In addition, Lithuania wants to establish trade relations with Taiwan. This differs greatly from the European Union, which established a trade deal with China. If China does choose to punish Lithuania for seeking trade relations with Taiwan, Lithuania can search for new markets like it had to previously. Lithuania also has brought up human rights concerns with China. The Lithuanian Semias (National Parliament) has started discussions on potential human rights violations committed against Uighur Muslims in China's Xinjiang province. The Chinese embassy denied any claims of genocide or human rights violations and condemned the talks in the Seimas. There is concern over the treatment of Uighurs in facilities referred to as re-education camps and allegations these camps are used to force Uighurs to assimilate into China through forced labor and torture. China initially denied these facilities existed but now claims they are used for vocational training to counter radical Muslims and separatists. Human rights organizations estimate that a minimum of one million Uighurs and Turkic-speaking Muslims are in the re-education camps.
Resisting Russian Authoritarianism
Lithuanians see it as their duty to fight against authoritarianism, and they consider themselves a frontline state in the fight against Putin. The Lithuanian government has allowed the country to become a destination for political critics targeted by Russia. These critics include journalists who then continue to work from Lithuania. Russian dissidents living in Lithuania is nothing new. According to Arthur Morozovas, Russian dissidents first arrived in the 16th century. It is unknown how many Russian political refugees have migrated to Lithuania and have been granted asylum since this information is considered classified. This can explain why Lithuania has supported Ukraine during the conflict that Russia started by providing training and medical supplies and the medical treatment of Ukrainian soldiers. Lithuania also called for sanctions after the arrest of Alexei Navalny, a political opponent of Putin.
In addition, Lithuania spoke up in February earlier this year and said that construction on the Nord Stream II pipeline should be paused until after Russia’s parliamentary elections in September. The goal of this action would be to pressure Russia into adopting democratic reforms. There have been concerns about the upcoming election, particularly after the poisoning of Alexei Navalny allegedly ordered by Putin, and Navalny’s subsequent arrest and continued health problems in custody. It would appear European leaders missed their chances to do this, as the pipeline is over 90 percent completed. The Nord Stream II pipeline has also been criticized as natural gas transported from Russia will be transported through the Baltic Sea rather than through Ukraine. The concern is this will deprive Ukraine of transit fees on the natural gas, making it more difficult for Ukraine to fight its current conflict with Russia yet allow Russia to continue to profit off selling natural gas.
An Example For The World
Lithuania hopes that other nations will take notice and follow its lead in risking economic growth to confront the political issues created by China and Russia. In particular, Lithuania hopes the United States notices, which has been the nation’s strongest NATO ally. Compared to other European countries, Lithuania has not wavered in supporting NATO. Time will tell if other countries are willing to follow the lead of Lithuania or succumb to the desire of protecting their economic interests, particularly as countries work to recover economically from the pandemic. The actions politicians take may result from what politicians think is the more popular priority among constituents and will benefit themselves more in elections.
