On 5 March 2026, the Rector of the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and Professor Roman Hladyševski, met with representatives of Vilnius University – the Dean of the Vilnius University Faculty of Law, Professor Haroldas Šinkūnas, and the Head of the Ukrainian Law Center Indrė Isokaitė.
Also attending the meeting were Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs and International Cooperation dr. Chrystyna Miliianchuk, the Dean of the Faculty of International Relations at Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Professor Markiian Malskyi, and the Head of the Department of European Law, Professor Mykhailo Mykiyevych.
Both Lithuanian scholars have long been partners of Lviv University, contributing to the implementation of numerous projects aimed at deepening Ukraine’s European integration processes, developing legal studies, and strengthening international academic cooperation between Ukrainian and Lithuanian universities.
During their visit to the University, the Lithuanian guests received awards from Rector Roman Hladyševskis in recognition of their long-term cooperation with the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv and their contribution to strengthening the University’s academic reputation. In particular, prof. Haroldas Šinkūnas was presented with the University’s highest distinction – the Ivan Franko Medal – for his personal contribution to the development of the University’s international educational activities. Dr. Indrė Isokaitė was awarded a letter of appreciation from the Rector for her personal contribution to developing academic cooperation between Lviv and Vilnius universities.
“We sincerely thank you for many years of fruitful cooperation and for your support of our scientific and educational initiatives. For us, Ukrainians, it is extremely important to feel that during this difficult and dark period of our history, we are not alone. Your solidarity, as representatives of the Lithuanian nation, is invaluable. It is very important for us to have reliable partners at Vilnius University, and I am convinced that our universities have strong prospects to continue implementing joint projects aimed at strengthening democratic values, the principles of the rule of law, and the development of legal scholarship,” noted Roman Hladyševskis.
The Dean of the Vilnius University Faculty of Law, Haroldas Šinkūnas, thanked the hosts for the high honour and emphasized the historical and mental closeness between the Ukrainian and Lithuanian nations:
“We are connected by a shared past and a very similar mentality, which essentially distinguishes us from the russians. We are also united by a common legal tradition – the Statutes of Lithuania, which will soon mark their 500th anniversary. They were also in force in the territory of Ukraine, laying the foundations for our legal systems. Today, we continue this path together by developing modern legal education and scholarship.”
Words of gratitude for the award and for many years of cooperation were also expressed by dr. Indrė Isokaitė, who later presented in greater detail the activities of the Ukrainian Law Center operating at Vilnius University.
During the dialogue, the parties discussed prospects for further scientific cooperation between the universities and the expansion of academic exchange programmes for students and academic staff. Particular attention was given to opportunities for implementing joint study and research projects supported by European institutions and programmes. The participants also discussed the promotion of national cultures and languages and agreed to exchange materials for Lithuanian language studies in Ukraine and Ukrainian language studies in Lithuania. In the participants’ view, the development of linguistic and cultural dialogue is an important part of integration into the common European space.
The partners emphasized that cooperation between scholars contributes not only to the exchange of experience in the field of legal reforms, but also to the formation of a new generation of lawyers capable of working effectively within the common European legal space.
It was also noted that an important example of successful cooperation between the universities is the double degree programme “International and European Law,” implemented jointly with Vilnius University. Its distinctive feature lies in the organisation of the study process: during the first semester students study at the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, the second semester is completed at Vilnius University, and the third semester is dedicated to preparing master’s theses under the joint supervision of Ukrainian and Lithuanian professors. The thesis defence takes place alternately in Lviv and Vilnius before a joint examination committee.
Upon completing the programme, graduates receive two state diplomas: a Master’s degree in International Law from the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv and a Master’s degree in Law from Vilnius University. The programme has been successfully operating for more than ten years and contributes to the training of highly qualified specialists prepared to contribute to the development of international and European law.
