The formal relationship between the Faroes and the EU is regulated by two bilateral agreements, the Free Trade Agreement and the Bilateral Fisheries Agreement.

In 1997, the current free trade treaty with the EU came into force. Increased cooperation with the EU in areas such as free movement, research, education, and civil aviation are currently being negotiated. With the Veterinary Protocol, the Faroe Islands have engaged to comply with the veterinary standards laid out by the EU. For more information on veterinary matters contact the Faroese Food, Veterinary and Environmental Agency.

In 2005, the Faroe Islands joined the extensive Pan-Euro-Mediterranean free trade partnership. For more information on Pan-Euro-Med consult the Faroese Tax Authorities and the Mission of the Faroes to the European Union. For further information about the Pan-Euro-Med, go to the website of the European Commission.

In terms of research, the Faroes are on a threshold of becoming an associated research partner of European research and development with the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) for Research and Technological Development in the EU. Read more about the research partnership here. 

Read more about other international agreements involving the Faroe Islands.

For further information about the foreign policy and international cooperation of the Faroe Islands, consult the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.