In 2007–2008, the three Member States formed the first trio Presidency (three successive presidencies) in EU history. In this system, introduced by the Lisbon Treaty, the three presiding countries, in cooperation with the president of the European Council, the European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, prepare a joint draft of the programme for the period of all three presidencies, which is confirmed by all Member States at the General Affairs Council. The programme is called the 18-month Trio Presidency Programme or, in short, the Trio Programme. 

On 16 June 2020, Germany, Portugal and Slovenia publicly presented the trio's 18-month programme, as Germany will take over the presidency on 1 July 2020. Prior to that, the Council of the EU had formally adopted the Trio Programme by written procedure. This marked the end of more than a year of coordination between the German, Portuguese and Slovenian governments and other EU institutions. The programme is the basis for the close cooperation of all three presidencies and contributes to the consistency of the European agenda for the coming year and a half.

Gašper Dovžan, State Secretary at the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that Slovenia was looking forward to its second presidency of the Council of the EU in the excellent company of these two friendly countries – Germany and Portugal. He emphasised sustainable and inclusive growth, taking into account the green transition and the digital transformation. European resilience also needs to be improved and contingency plans to deal with urgent situations such as pandemics, global cyber attacks and migratory pressures need to be developed. In addition, the trio has set itself the goal of an ambitious policy regarding the eastern and southern neighbouring regions.