Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda on Thursday said that his country has “something to learn” from Cyprus as it prepares to take over the Council of the European Union’s rotating presidency next year – the title which Cyprus currently holds.

He made the comments during a visit to Cyprus’ presidential palace ahead of the day’s informal European Council summit, which is to be held on the island, and also said that many of the “priorities” of Lithuania and Cyprus are shared.

President Nikos Christodoulides, meanwhile, said that while “our two countries may be geographically distant”, they “have much in common which forms the basis for enhanced cooperation”.

He later added that there is a “common will” on the part of the governments of Cyprus and Lithuania to “strengthen bilateral relations as well as cooperation between the two countries inside the EU”.

“The most important development for Cyprus, beyond its independence, was its accession to the EU,” he said.

The pair held a bilateral meeting at the palace, with expanded talks between the Cypriot and Lithuanian delegations taking place thereafter.

Lithuania will hold the Council of the EU’s rotating presidency for the first half of next year, holding the title for the second time since its accession to the bloc in 2004, having previously done so in 2013.

Cyprus’ six-month term as the holder of the title will draw to a conclusion at the end of June, when it will hand over to Ireland, which will hold the title for the remainder of this year.

After Lithuania’s six-month term comes to an end, Greece will take over the rotating presidency for the second half of next year.