Lithuanian Parliament Rejects Funding for Members’ Meeting with Chinese Mission

Two Lithuanian lawmakers will not travel to Brussels at the expense of the Seimas after the parliamentary board unanimously rejected their proposed assignment.

Ignas Vėgėlė and Rimas Jonas Jankūnas had planned to meet representatives of China’s mission to the European Union. An invitation seen by Delfi proposed a September 8, 2026, meeting at the mission’s premises and described it as an opportunity to exchange views on normalizing China-Lithuania relations and other matters of mutual interest.

Conservative lawmaker Radvilė Morkūnaitė-Mikulėnienė opposed the trip, pointing to Lithuania’s “principled approach” toward China. She cited the State Security Department’s repeated description of China as a threat to Lithuania’s national security, as well as China’s support for Russia in its war against Ukraine. She also questioned whether the two lawmakers could appear to represent the Seimas without an agreed parliamentary position.

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I believe this goes against Lithuania’s interests.

“I believe this goes against Lithuania’s interests,” she said. Democratic lawmaker Domas Griškevičius asked whether the trip had been coordinated with the Seimas Foreign Affairs Committee and the Foreign Ministry. Speaker Juozas Olekas said he could not confirm that. Social Democrat Rasa Budbergytė said the proposed split between travel allowances and parliamentary funds was also unacceptable, arguing that an official assignment should involve a mission coordinated with the relevant authorities.

A temporary parliamentary group called “For the Normalization of Diplomatic Relations with China” has been established. Vėgėlė had previously said that, if the board rejected the assignment, the lawmakers might consider traveling at their own expense.

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I think this falls within the competence of the Foreign Affairs Committee.