Trio

The trio refers to a pre-established group of 3 EU Member States which hold the presidency of the Council of the European Union (except for the Foreign Affairs configuration) for a total of 18 months and which work closely together over that period. Each member of the trio chairs all configurations of the Council for a 6-month period, except for the Foreign Affairs configuration.

This system was introduced after the Lisbon Treaty in 2009. Each trio prepares the Council’s 18-month programme that sets long-term goals and develops a joint agenda identifying the topics and issues to be addressed by the Council over a period of 18 months. This programme is prepared in close cooperation with the Commission and the President of the European Council, and is endorsed by General Affairs Council. Based on this programme and after consulting the Commission, each of the 3 members of the trio which is to hold office prepares draft agendas for Council meetings scheduled for the next 6-month period.