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On 24 September, with 100 days remaining until the start of Lithuania’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU), Minister of Foreign Affairs Kęstutis Budrys stated that Lithuania’s diplomatic service and other state institutions are well prepared for the task.

“Lithuania’s Presidency of the Council of the EU will be one of the country’s most important international projects in the coming years. It will require strong leadership, professionalism and a shared sense of purpose. We see it as an opportunity not only to help shape the EU agenda, but also to strengthen Lithuania’s voice on the international stage by bringing EU Member States together around a common goal: a stronger, safer and more resilient Europe,” said Lithuania’s top diplomat.

Lithuania to hold the Presidency of the Council of the EU for the second time

Lithuania’s Presidency of the Council of the EU will run from 1 January to 30 June 2027. It will be the country’s second Presidency, following its first term in 2013.

EU Member States hold the Presidency on a rotating basis for six months.

The presiding country organises and chairs most Council meetings, helps shape the Council’s agenda, facilitates negotiations among Member States, and works to achieve consensus.

While most of the work takes place in Brussels and Luxembourg, the Presidency is also felt at home through informal Council meetings and other events. Lithuania expects to welcome around 30,000 delegates and host approximately 350 official events.

The entire country is engaged in the Presidency process

“I am pleased that the whole of Lithuania is actively contributing to the Presidency preparations. In the coming months, representatives of non-governmental organisations, academia, local authorities and other institutions will come together to discuss issues that matter to Lithuania and Europe. More than 40 initiatives, including events, discussions and debates, will take place across most Lithuanian municipalities. Their common goal is to strengthen Europe in Lithuania and Lithuania in Europe,” said the Foreign Minister.

Lithuania’s Presidency of the Council of the EU is a national project in which state institutions are joining forces with civil society organisations, academia, cultural institutions and businesses.

A total of 80 initiatives proposed by non-profit organisations have been included in the Presidency events calendar for the first half of 2027. Their main themes include science and innovation, societal resilience, digital transformation, human rights and inclusion. Most events will take place in Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipėda, but activities will also reach other cities and regions across Lithuania.

Cultural programme to reach more than 100 cities worldwide

The Presidency will also be accompanied by a specially designed international socio-cultural programme. More than 370 events will take place across six continents, in 52 countries and more than 100 cities.

The programme includes Presidency opening concerts in some of the world’s most renowned concert halls, exhibitions, film retrospectives, dance performances, literary events and cultural diplomacy initiatives. It aims to showcase both internationally recognised Lithuanian artists and emerging talents, cover a broad spectrum of artistic disciplines, and present themes of historical memory through a contemporary lens.

Lithuania’s Presidency priorities have been approved

The priority areas for Lithuania’s Presidency, approved by the Seimas on 26 June 2025, include security and defence, support for Ukraine, strengthening Europe’s defence capabilities, EU enlargement and the promotion of democratic values, respect for international law, innovation and technological advancement, boosting competitiveness, strengthening migration management and external border protection, enhancing the resilience of democratic systems, preserving historical memory, and addressing social security issues in the context of demographic challenges.

Based on these approved priorities, Lithuania’s National Programme for the 2027 Presidency of the Council of the EU is currently being prepared.

Presidency identity to be unveiled in December

With 100 days remaining until the official start of the Presidency, Lithuania is intensifying public communication efforts to strengthen national pride in the country’s role and present Lithuania as a mature, unifying and constructive member of the European Union.

Preparations will culminate in December with the official presentation of the communication identity of Lithuania’s 2027 Presidency of the Council of the EU, including its logo, slogan and visual identity.

The latest information about preparations for the Presidency and its implementation will be available on the official website: LT27EU.