The EU's strategy clearly demonstrates that the positive development of the European economy is closely related to Europe's companies putting sustainability and corporate responsibility into practice on the ground and that these issues have to be driven by these very companies. To facilitate this, the EU is creating a shared political framework and promoting the discussion on CSR.

In a global economy we need global strategies which foster sustainability and corporate responsibility. Institutions such as the United Nations or the OECD shape such an environment in close consultation with each other and with national governments.