The Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) bundles all research-related EU initiatives together under a common roof playing a crucial role in reaching the goals of growth, competitiveness and employment; along with a new Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP), Education and Training programmes, and Structural and Cohesion Funds for regional convergence and competitiveness. It is also a key pillar for the European Research Area (ERA).
The broad objectives of FP7 have been grouped into four categories: Cooperation, Ideas, People and Capacities. For each type of objective, there is a specific programme corresponding to the main areas of EU research policy. All specific programmes work together to promote and encourage the creation of European poles of (scientific) excellence.
The European Commissioner in Science and Research, Potočnik, met with the Prime Minister of the Faroes Jóannes Eidesgaard, in Brussels on December 5th. The two parties met to discuss associate membership for the Faroes in EU's Seventh Research Framework Programme (FP7). Potočnik gave Eidesgaard a political promise of associate membership of the Faroes (officially part of Denmark) to the FP7. The Faroese Prime Minister, Jóannes Eidesgaard, is content with the result of the meeting since the FP7 will be very important for research in the Faroe Islands.
The Prime Minister advocated that there should also be room for small countries in EU's Research Programme. He underlined that the Faroe Islands have the authority to conclude agreements with other countries and organisations within a range of areas. Eidesgaard also made the point that participation in the FP7 should not be judged by a country's size, but rather from the ability and research results.
Wales needs the authority to conclude agreements with other countries and organisations enabling our individual membership of programmes that can benefit the Welsh people.