TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday said it is open to talks with Estonia after reports that Taiwan’s plan to open a representative office there has been stalled over its name.
The ministry said Taiwan and Estonia maintain friendly relations and close exchanges across multiple fields, per Liberty Times. It added that Taiwan will continue to deepen cooperation with like-minded partners, including Estonia, based on shared values of democracy, freedom, and human rights.
The ministry stressed that it maintains an open attitude and is willing to engage in practical discussions with Estonia to strengthen bilateral relations and enhance mutual understanding.
Nikkei Asia reported on Monday that Taiwan’s plan to establish a representative office in Tallinn, Estonia’s capital, has been stalled for two years due to a name dispute. Taiwan seeks to follow the Lithuanian model and use “Taiwanese Representative Office,” while Estonia prefers “Taipei” to avoid provoking China.
China imposed economic sanctions on Lithuania in 2021 after it allowed Taiwan to open an office using the “Taiwanese Representative Office” name. One source told Nikkei Asia that expecting Estonia to do the same “is a no-go.”
The source said Lithuania endured the backlash only because China’s overreaction prompted Germany to defend the EU single market. If Estonia followed suit, it was unlikely to receive similar support from other EU countries.
Estonia’s foreign ministry told Nikkei Asia that a 2023 cabinet meeting had approved the establishment of a non-diplomatic office under the name “Taipei,” but as of Oct. 28, it had not received any application from Taiwan. It said Taipei offices exist in most countries and fully conform to the one-China policy, which Estonia will continue to uphold.