"Our aim is for the EU to become a world leader in corporate social responsibility, or CSR," said Minister for Trade Ewa Björling and Juan José Barrera Cerezal from the Spanish Ministry of Employment and Immigration in a joint statement today. The Swedish Presidency and the incoming Spanish Presidency want to ensure that CSR is taken a step further in the EU.

This is about ensuring that companies respect human rights, safeguard a sustainable environment and good working conditions, and combat corruption.

"The fact is that it pays companies to behave in an ethical way and there is a lot the EU can do to encourage companies to move in this direction, especially when it comes to measuring and following up results," said Dr Björling. "As a first step, I would like to see a mention of companies' CSR in the European Council conclusions in December," she added.

"Companies are also an important driving force to reduce poverty and achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals. CSR is an important stimulus for this work," said Dr Björling.

"Spain will continue Sweden's important work on CSR. We will arrange a follow-up conference in March next year. I also look forward to hearing how the Commission intends to work on these issues," said Juan José Barrera Cerezal.

Professor John Ruggie's framework, developed within the UN, is an important foundation for future EU work - this is about the obligation of states to protect, which includes legislation as well as defending human rights; companies' responsibility to respect human rights; and, for all involved, ensuring that there is access to necessary remedies so that employers, suppliers and others in the production chain are able to enjoy their human rights.

The Swedish-Spanish statement ends the conference on CSR on 10-11 November, arranged by the Swedish Presidency and the European Commission. Participants from all over the world - from the business sector, the public sector and civil society - discussed good examples of CSR and challenges in its implementation.