Olekas says Lithuania will be ready for EU Council presidency

Lithuania will be prepared both substantively and physically to hold the European Union Council presidency in the first half of 2027, Seimas Speaker Juozas Olekas said, according to LRT.

“We can see bridges and streets being renovated. I think we will truly be ready and able to welcome guests not only with the content reflected in the adopted legislation, but also with surroundings that will have changed,” Olekas told reporters at the Seimas, Lithuania’s parliament, on Monday.

New spaces are being fitted out in the parliament buildings, while corridors and the historic March 11 Hall are being renovated. Many events linked to the presidency will be held there.

Olekas said the work also included renovating cloakrooms in the parliament’s first building, which visitors typically use during the winter.

Lithuania will take over the EU Council presidency from Ireland in the first half of 2027 and later hand it to Greece. Together, the three countries form an 18-month presidency trio.