This position paper is from a personal perspective as well as on the basis of the work carried out by the Expert Group on Research Infrastructures’ two main questions:

• What should be the role of the different stakeholders in the governance of research infrastructures of pan-European interest?
• How to promote the progressive openness of national RI’s as a key element for ERA construction? Role of a favourable legal environment (for construction and operation as well as for the attraction and mobility of personnel)? What is the preliminary experience with ERIC regulation?

Governance of research infrastructures (RIs) is a multifaceted concept. Due to the large diversity of RIs found in Europe is not possible to rely on a single approach which reflects an ideal scheme of governance; thus, flexibility is needed to accommodate the interests and commitments of all stakeholders (both European and non-European partner entities). The role of stakeholders can also benefit from a broader approach where several facilities (main site plus other secondary or specialised sites) contribute to the global eco-system linked to RI. It creates the need for further cooperation under European consortia and new governance schemes which should be explicitly promoted.

The approval of the ERIC regulation is an opportunity to rethink governance structures although it is too early to assess the benefits of using ERIC for new RIs. Other aspects such as the mobility of researchers or the participation of non-European partners would require additional work.

International RIs located outside Europe or the participation of the EU in global RIs will become the norm in the future. They will require complex negotiation processes where the "voice of Europe" could combine the Commission with Member States in joint negotiation teams when this participation is based on variable geometry schemes.

The participation of European industry needs to be reinforced. European competitiveness also depends on the possibility of access to RIs as users (and not only as providers). However, large test beds to cope with specific industrial needs are also relevant. The knowledge of infrastructure needs in JTIs or new PPPs are important in updating the European roadmap.

Finally, future discussion on FP8 could open the way to increase support for RI construction with the possibility of creating a specific fund which complements the funding commitment from host countries.