Minister Audrey Tang took part June 1 in the electronic signing of a memorandum of understanding on digital collaboration between the National Institute of Cyber Security under the Ministry of Digital Affairs and the Innovation Agency under Lithuania’s Ministry of the Economy and Innovation.

Concluded virtually in the presence of Tang and MOEI Vice Minister Karolis Zemaitis by NICS President Ho Chuan-te and IA Director Romualda Stragiene in Taipei and Vilnius, respectively, the pact is the first digital tie-up jointly signed by both sides using an e-signature.

Other participants in the e-signing ceremony included Eric Jiun-yaw Huang, head of The Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania, and Paulius Lukauskas, head of the Lithuanian Trade Representative Office.

The memorandum formalizes a Taiwan-Lithuania letter of intent on strengthening digital resilience, nurturing digital industry talents, promoting safe internet navigation and mitigating online harms. It was inked by representatives of the moda and IA during Tang’s historic visit to the Baltic state earlier this year.

According to Tang, the pact lays the foundations for Taiwan and Lithuania to jointly strengthen digital resilience, as well as the cherished shared values of both free and open societies.

Taiwan’s and Lithuania’s digital synergy is of paramount importance, Tang said, adding that this is why areas like digital talent exchange and deepening related cooperation feature in the memorandum.

The pact augurs well for the future of Taiwan-Lithuania relations, Tang said. It also carries significant heft in the tech stakes as both sides are recognizing and using government-issued e-signatures, she added.

Tang said the adoption of the Mixed Organization Certification Authority, or XCA, certificate issued by the moda for the e-signing of the milestone memorandum is a source of great pride. Such a significant development is a strong step for Taiwan, and will be the gold standard in global recognition of mutual e-signatures going forward, she added.

According to Tang, Taiwan and Lithuania are on the front line defending freedom, democracy, human rights and rules-based order in the face of authoritarian expansionism. The pact paves the way for advancing the common cause while sowing the seeds for sustainable development and inclusive prosperity, she said.

It is anticipated this exciting co-creation will open the door for more tie-ups in fields of great gravitas, and show the world a real commitment to free the future–together, Tang said. Taiwan moda stands as Lithuania’s natural partner in strengthening resilience and defending democracy for the collective good, she added.

Tang visited Lithuania Jan. 10 to 13 as head of a nine-member delegation. Her first trip abroad as minister since the launch of the moda in August 2022 featured meetings with government officials like MOEI Minister Ausrine Armonaite, members of parliament, innovation experts and participation in the inaugural Free Digital Democracy Dialogue, or F3D, at Vilnius University’s Institute of International Relations and Political Science.