Research Infrastructures of Pan-EU relevance (RIs) are central pillars of the ERA. They are fundamental examples of the knowledge triangle, sustaining Research and Education and Innovation at the highest level. Incubating new European initiatives, as well as helping to develop the most appropriate use of existing Pan-EU RIs, is the central objective of ESFRI, launched by the Council of Ministers in 2002. The role of ESFRI is to support a coherent and strategy-led approach to policy making, leading to a better use and development of European RIs. This vision and approach has helped to develop, together with the Member States and the European Commission, the most effective initiatives in all fields of Science, at EU, National, Regional and Institutional levels. After seven years of existence, very concrete achievements have been reached by ESFRI, notably the implementation of almost 50% of the projects of the first 2006 roadmap and the coordinated development of national roadmaps. Several Challenges remain, including keeping momentum in the implementation of the EU roadmap as well as reaching a sustainable state in both the construction and operation of Pan-European and Global RIs to attract the best researchers at world level. This requires an adjustment of the present ESFRI strategic approach from an incubator role toward a supporter role. Also, the only possible source of additional funding as needed to support "operation for Excellence" of existing Research Infrastructures of pan-European relevance is the EU. In an EU 2020 strategy, the development of European Research Infrastructures, along with that of the European Research Council, the European Institute of Technology and of the Joint Technology Initiatives, would build a solid base for a "Research and Innovation Area" with a cross-cutting approach to innovation.