The state secretaries talked about the current developments that will affect the Trio Presidency, notably the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on development cooperation. They agreed to make global health one of the key themes of their Trio Presidency. They also advocated for the earliest possible adoption of a new agreement with the African, Caribbean, and Pacific states, and for the setting up of the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI), which is part of legislative proposals for the new EU Multiannual Financial Framework 2021–2027.

State Secretary Kajzer stressed the importance of solidarity at a point when we are facing one of the biggest challenges of our time, assessing that an effective response of the EU and its member states to the pandemic will test the readiness for joint action and the principle of inclusiveness. The responsibility for implementing this principle greatly depends on the coordinated action of the future Trio.

The State Secretary also informed his Portuguese and German counterparts of the Slovenian Presidency priorities relating to development cooperation, adding that water is a central priority, along with the need for a comprehensive approach to water issues in EU policies in terms of environmental protection, peace and security, and global health.