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Participation of the Faroes in EU programmes

 

SUMMARY OF:

Agreement between the EU and the Faroes on the participation of the latter in EU programmes

Decision (EU) 2022/886 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, and provisional application of the Agreement between the EU and the Faroes on the participation of the latter in EU programmes

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE AGREEMENT AND DECISION?

  • The agreement sets out the terms and conditions for the participation of the Faroes in European Union (EU) programmes.
  • The protocol including the Faroes in the Horizon Europe programme, annexed to the agreement, sets out the specific programme-related terms and conditions for the participation of the Faroes in the programme.
  • The decision adopts the agreement on behalf of the EU, and the agreement is applied on a provisional basis pending the completion of the procedures necessary for it to apply fully.

KEY POINTS

  • The Faroes decided not to become a part of the European Communities when Denmark joined in 1973.
  • Formal relations between the EU and the Faroes are based on three bilateral agreements covering fisheries (1980), trade in goods (1997) and scientific and technological cooperation (2010) respectively. The EU treaties do not apply to the Faroes.
  • The Faroes became formally included in the seventh framework programme in 2010 and the Horizon 2020 association agreement (the predecessor to Horizon Europe) was signed in late 2014, with retroactive application as of 1 January 2014.

Umbrella agreement

  • The main text of the agreement sets out the conditions for the Faroes, comprehensively regulating Faroese participation across various EU programmes and activities that are open for their participation in accordance with the basic act establishing the EU's programmes.
  • It covers the terms and conditions for participation in EU programmes, and the association process (establishment of the participation).
  • It contains:
  • It sets up a joint committee with tasks which include monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the agreement and examining how to improve and develop cooperation under the agreement.

This ‘umbrella agreement’ is meant to create a lasting legal basis for cooperation on EU programmes. It will continue to apply for several multiannual financial frameworks to come.

Horizon Europe protocol

  • The Horizon Europe protocol forms an integral part of the agreement. It was negotiated in parallel with the umbrella agreement and is annexed to it.
  • The specific terms and conditions for participation of the Faroes in any other particular EU programme or activity shall be laid down in additional protocols and be added to this agreement, if adopted by the joint committee.
  • The protocol allows Faroese participation in all parts of the programme except for the specific programme on defence research, as the detailed provisions for the EU funding to defence research projects are regulated by Regulation (EU) 2021/697.
  • Specific rules include:
    • those covering the Faroes’ financial contribution to the programme and the payment methodology;
    • a reciprocity clause, ensuring that researchers and companies established in the EU can take part in the Faroese research and innovation programmes that are equivalent to Horizon Europe;
    • additional conditions of participation, such as:

DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE

The agreement has provisionally applied since 24 May 2022, pending the completion of the procedures necessary for its entry into force.

BACKGROUND

For further information, see:

MAIN DOCUMENTS

Agreement between the European Union, of the one part, and the Government of the Faroe Islands, of the other part, on the participation of the Faroe Islands in Union programmes (OJ L 154, 7.6.2022, pp. 4–22).

Council Decision (EU) 2022/886 of 16 May 2022 on the signing, on behalf of the Union, and provisional application of the Agreement between the European Union, of the one part, and the Government of the Faroe Islands, of the other part, on the participation of the Faroe Islands in Union programmes (OJ L 154, 7.6.2022, pp. 1–3).

RELATED DOCUMENTS

Regulation (EU) 2021/819 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2021 on the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (recast) (OJ L 189, 28.5.2021, pp. 61–90).

Decision (EU) 2021/820 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2021 on the Strategic Innovation Agenda of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) 2021-2027: Boosting the Innovation Talent and Capacity of Europe and repealing Decision No 1312/2013/EU (OJ L 189, 28.5.2021, pp. 91–118).

Council Decision (EU) 2021/764 of 10 May 2021 establishing the Specific Programme implementing Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, and repealing Decision 2013/743/EU (OJ L 167I, 12.5.2021, pp. 1–80).

Regulation (EU) 2021/695 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 April 2021 establishing Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, laying down its rules for participation and dissemination, and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1290/2013 and (EU) No 1291/2013 (OJ L 170, 12.5.2021, pp. 1–68).

Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 July 2018 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union, amending Regulations (EU) No 1296/2013, (EU) No 1301/2013, (EU) No 1303/2013, (EU) No 1304/2013, (EU) No 1309/2013, (EU) No 1316/2013, (EU) No 223/2014, (EU) No 283/2014, and Decision No 541/2014/EU and repealing Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 (OJ L 193, 30.7.2018, pp. 1–222).

See consolidated version.

Council Regulation (EC) No 723/2009 of 25 June 2009 on the Community legal framework for a European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC) (OJ L 206, 8.8.2009, pp. 1–8).

Successive amendments to Regulation (EC) No 723/2009 have been incorporated in the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

Regulation (EU) 2021/697 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2021 establishing the European Defence Fund and repealing Regulation (EU) 2018/1092 (OJ L 170, 12.5.2021, pp. 149–177).

last update 30.09.2022

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