1. A statement on common understanding of Regional Cooperation for Quality Education and Training on the occastion of the ERI SEE Secretariat Launching and Thematic Conference
Belgrade, 26th October 2018

2. Relevance of regional cooperation
We, the participants and guests, are aware that regional cooperation is of utmost importance for the South Eastern Europe region
We conclude that there is a willingess, a need, and established structures, for cooperating in the area of education and training
We are appraising the efforts and activities done so far, and recognize strong growth potential yet to be fully unleashed for the purpose of regional prosperity.

3. Relevance of regional initiatives and wider context
We confirm the role the ERI SEE has played in regional cooperation, as an initiative dedicated exclusively to education and training, regionally-owned, bringing together an EU Member State and other SEE economies, and thus allowing for an even more fruitful cooperation and exchange of experiences.
We confirm the regional cooperation as a relevant factor for the enhancement of education and training reforms, driven from the SEE region itself, and encouraged by the European Commission
We agree that SEE regional cooperation in the area of education and training has a great potential of expanding and intensifying.
We therefore ask the ERI SEE, as its founders and participants in its activities, to explore options of taking regional cooperation further, within its mandate, while taking into consideration the good practices already existing at EU level.

4. Support to regional cooperation for quality education and training
We support the activities and achievements of already established expert groups, and expect their continuation for exploiting their further potentials, aiming at quality improvements in education and training, namely:
SEEVET Net and Chambers of commerce, under the Western Balkans Alliance for Work-based Learning, focusing on the modernization of VET, cooperation with the business sector and enhancement of regional cooperation in the area of work-based learning
Group of experts on Quality Assurance in general education, covering, among others, regional activities regarding external and internal assessment of institutions and education, and strengthening institutional capacities of relevant QA bodies
ERI SEE and ETF driven SEE Network for Teacher Education and Trainings, focusing on improvements in this area
RCC and ERI SEE Joint Working group for the Automatic Recognition of Academic Qualifications, promoting European Quality Assurance standards in higher education, accessability and transparency of Quality Assurance results and information, reflected in the smoother recognition of academic qualifications

5. ... and are looking forward to future developments!
Summary
We recognize the work done so far under ERI SEE and its partners
We support further development of already established and ungoing activities coordinated by ERI SEE and partners
We advocate establishing even closer connection and collaboration with relevant partner organizations
We hope for the realization of full potential of regonal cooperation with the purpose of enhancing quality of education and training in the region...
... and are looking forward to future developments!