It is difficult to determine the scientific activities in which there would be so many requirements to appreciate the skill of a scholar as in the field of international law. The famous monograph by A. de Pradelle “Maîtres du droit des gens et Doctrines”. Paris: Les Editions internationales, 1950. 441 p., gave the right to stand on the “Olympus of the international law” throughout their scientific developments of international law only to 26 scholars. The number of those who have tried to challenge this list is very small.
It is symbolic that in that year has seen the light of day the first scientific work of the young professor I.I. Lukashuk. The recognition as a young researcher scientist, who just turned 25 years old at the time the exception is a confirmation that the scientific community has recognized the outstanding skills and capabilities of the new doctor in law, the doctoral thesis is held at the Institute of Law, Kharkov, Ukraine under the famous scientist — academician V.V. Koretskii.
During work teaching science II Lukashuk worked in the Saratov Law Institute, University of Kiev T. Shevchenko, Institute of State and Law of the Academy of Science of the Russian Federation, Moscow.
The science of international law is about 400 years and obviously has known many talented scientists. But, according to many experts, examining its evolution, we must admit that a few of them can be compared to I.I. Lukashuk by the number of objects of research, new for the international law field, developed or nominated, by approving new research methods for the description of the nature and essence of international law and its’ functioning within the interdependent social relationships. I.I. Lukashuk restored the Ukrainian school of international law, on the basis of the rich knowledge but also the art of research in international law.
Mr. Lukashuk was the first in the former USSR to develop and implement the new practice of specialist training (later they will take master qualification under Western traditions) in international law in the context of which must have such qualities as deep knowledge in the theory and history of international law, professional capabilities to comment on the sources of international law to distinguish politics from the legal, ideological, etc., knowledge of at least two foreign languages, the correct analysis of the evolutionary process other schools of international law etc.
One of the biggest successes of world diplomacy and international law in the twentieth century — the Vienna Conference on the Law of International Treaties (1968—1969) had taken place with the active participation of the teacher Lukashuk. If we add to this the fact that today virtually the entire diplomatic corps of Ukraine consists of former students of Mr. Lukashuk it becomes apparent that he had an enormous contribution to the development of contemporary diplomacy.
Lukashuk held public lectures in the most prestigious universities of the world and his course “Parties to Treaties. The Right of Participation “was published by the Academy of International Law in The Hague.
In the period 1995—2002, Lukashuk is a member of the UN International Law Commission, member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, and in 1998 vice–president of the Russian Association of International Law. He participated as a member of delegations to sessions of the UN General Assembly, diplomatic conferences, head of delegation in many international bodies etc.
During its activity as a the teacher, Lukashuk has published over 400 scientific papers, many of which have been translated into various languages of the world — Russian, Ukrainian, Polish, Bulgarian, Czech, German, Arabic, Spanish, French, English, etc. Mr. prepared four PhDs and 68 doctors of law.
In 2001 he was awarded the Martens award for his work “Глобализация, государство, право, 21–й век”.
In 1999 the journal “Международное право» (№ 3), following an inquiry of the specialists in international law, recognized Professor II Lukashuk — “The best international lawyer in the twentieth century.”
Vitalie GAMURARI, PhD, associate professor.
