Dean Turkalj and Research Assistant Ressler visit the Catholic University of Lyon

Professor Kristian Turkalj, PhD, Dean of the Faculty of Law at the Catholic University of Croatia, and Research Assistant Karla Ressler, LLM, visited the Catholic University of Lyon (Université Catholique de Lyon) in France from October 13 to 16, 2026, as part of the Erasmus+ programme.

During their visit to the Faculty of Law and European and International Political Studies (Faculté de Droit et d'Études Politiques Européennes et Internationales), Dean Turkalj delivered a lecture on Thursday, October 15, entitled “Criteria for EU Membership with Particular Reference to Southeast Europe”. The lecture focused on the criteria for accession to the European Union, with particular emphasis on Southeast European countries and their European prospects.

As part of the visit, Dean Turkalj and Research Assistant Ressler met with Dean Professor Michel Cannarsa and Vice-Rector for International Relations Professor Louis-Daniel Muka Tshibenda. A meeting was also held at the Office of the Vice-Rector for International Relations of the Catholic University of Lyon. These meetings provided an opportunity to exchange experiences and discuss possibilities for strengthening ties between the two Catholic universities and further developing international academic cooperation.

Representatives of the Faculty of Law at the Catholic University of Croatia also attended the official opening ceremony of the academic year at the Catholic University of Lyon. The programme included Holy Mass at the Basilica of Saint-Martin d'Ainay, a formal academic ceremony, and a lecture by Helen Alford, President of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, entitled “Humana Humanitas and the Catholic Tradition as a Source of Innovation”.

The Erasmus+ visit of Dean Turkalj and Research Assistant Ressler to Lyon contributed to the international visibility of the Faculty of Law at the Catholic University of Croatia and helped strengthen its connections with European higher education institutions.