  High precision astrometry provides the foundation to resolve many fundamental
problems in astrophysics. The application of astrometric studies spans a wide
range of fields, and has undergone enormous growth in recent years. This is as
a consequence of the increasing measurement precision and wide applicability,
which is due in turn to the development of new techniques. Forthcoming next
generation observatories have the potential to further increase the astrometric
precision, providing there is a matching improvement in the methods to correct
for systematic errors. The EVN and other observatories are providing
demonstrations of these and are acting as pathfinders for next-generation
telescopes such as the SKA and ngVLA. We will review the perspectives for the
coming facilities and examples of the current state-of-the-art for astrometry.
