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The trio of countries that will preside over the Council of the European Union – Ireland (second half of 2026), Lithuania (second half of 2027), and Greece (second half of 2027) held the first meeting on the sidelines of the General Affairs Council.

During the meeting with the Ireland‘s Minister of State for European Affairs at the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Thomas Byrne and the Greece‘s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexandra Papadopoulou, the Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Sigitas Mitkus stressed that "this trio of states will have to hold the Presidency of the Council of the EU during a challenging period both geopolitically and economically. In order to respond appropriately to all challenges, we will have to demonstrate cohesion and unity and take on significant responsibility and leadership at the helm of the European Union."

During the meeting, the European Affairs Ministers discussed the calendar and principles for preparing the joint programme of the trio of presidencies. They also discussed cooperation on various items on the EU agenda, particularly in trilateral negotiations with the European Parliament and the European Commission on EU legislation. It was emphasized that among the priorities of the Lithuanian Presidency would remain the strengthening of the EU's security, defence, and competitiveness, comprehensive support for Ukraine, including its integration into the EU, negotiations on the next Multiannual Financial Framework, internal and social security issues, the fight against disinformation, fostering a common European historical memory and protecting European values in the world.