ERI SEE Director Met with Representatives of the European Commission in Brussels
During her stay in Brussels from 16 to 19 June 2026, ERI SEE Director Sandra Brkanović held a series of bilateral meetings with representatives of the European Commission. These meetings formed part of the ERI SEE Work Programme 2026, which identifies strengthening cooperation with the European Commission, expanding partnerships with European institutions and supporting the implementation of European education and skills policies in South Eastern Europe among the organisation’s strategic priorities.
The meetings were organised with the support of Gordon Purvis, Member of the ERI SEE Consultative Body and Senior Expert at the European Training Foundation (ETF).
On 16 June, the Director met with representatives of the Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DG EAC), including Savino Rua, Policy Officer in the Western Balkans Team, responsible for education reforms and cooperation with Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Türkiye; Jordi Rodríguez Ruiz, Financial Officer at the European Commission with previous experience in the EU Delegation to Montenegro; and Florian Gorqaj, Seconded National Expert working on international cooperation in the field of education within DG EAC. The meeting was also attended by Milena Milonjić, Education Adviser at the Mission of Montenegro to the European Union in Brussels.
On 17 June, she met with Liina Carr, Policy Advisor in the International Affairs Unit of the Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (DG EMPL), whose responsibilities include international cooperation in employment and social affairs, EU enlargement, and cooperation with accession countries and international organisations.
On 18 June, she met with Simone Rave, Policy Officer for Education and Skills at the Directorate-General for Enlargement and the Eastern Neighbourhood (DG ENEST), responsible for education and skills policies in support of the European Union enlargement process and with longstanding experience in the European Commission’s enlargement and neighbourhood policy.
The meetings provided an opportunity to present ERI SEE as an international intergovernmental organisation established by the ministries responsible for education of South Eastern Europe to support education reforms through regional cooperation. The Director introduced the history and rationale behind the establishment of ERI SEE, its governance structure, regional mandate and strategic priorities set out in the ERI SEE Work Programme 2026. Particular attention was given to ERI SEE’s work in vocational education and training, quality assurance in pre-tertiary and higher education, teacher education and training, adult learning and lifelong learning, as well as support for the green and digital transition through regional cooperation, policy dialogue and the development of new regional initiatives.
The exchange also covered current education and skills policy developments in the European Union and the enlargement region, including the Western Balkans and the Republic of Moldova, as well as opportunities for future cooperation involving Ukraine. The Director also presented ERI SEE’s ongoing initiatives and priorities for the coming period, with a particular focus on strengthening cooperation with European institutions and international partners, as foreseen in the ERI SEE Work Programme 2026.
The European Commission representatives welcomed the opportunity to gain a better understanding of ERI SEE’s mandate, activities and regional role. They expressed interest in receiving regular updates on ERI SEE’s work and in maintaining communication on issues of common interest.
