On 1 December 2025, the Research Service of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, in partnership with the EU Project Pravo-Justice, hosted an educational webinar titled “New Negotiation Methodology: Key Changes and Lessons from Past Enlargements”.

The webinar featured presentations by Vincent Degert, former EU Ambassador of Croatia, short-term international expert of the EU Project Pravo-Justice; and Tetiana Tsuvina, Doctor of Legal Science, Head of the Civil Procedure, Arbitration and Private International Law Department of Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University, specialist of the Center for Mediation and ADR, short-term national expert of the EU Project Pravo-Justice.

During the educational webinar, the evolution of the EU negotiation methodology up to 2020 was discussed, along with the key principles of the updated approach introduced in 2020. The experts analyzed the logic of the cluster-based negotiation model and the “Fundamentals First” principle, the interlinkages between different chapters of the acquis, and the screening mechanisms. The discussion also covered typical challenges faced by candidate countries, along with examples of best practices that have proven successful during previous EU enlargement waves.

Particular emphasis was placed on the role of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine in the negotiation process and the impact of the “Fundamentals First” approach on the justice sector within Cluster 1 (rule of law, public administration reform, and functioning of democratic institutions). Participants also discussed the tools for developing national negotiation positions and the logic of applying benchmarks to measure progress in the rule of law area.

Simultaneous interpretation for the webinar was provided thanks to EU Project Pravo-Justice, which made the event accessible to a broader audience.