The Water Blueprint time horizon is closely related to the EU's 2020 Strategy and, in particular, to the Resource Efficiency Roadmap, of which the Blueprint is the water milestone.

Since it is impossible to conceive of a single market for online gambling in the current situation due to considerations of a legal nature and of political will at the national level, the Commission intends to launch a raft of initiatives to support the Member States' efforts to work together to combat and eradicate illegal sites.

The EESC recently adopted an opinion on the European Commission's Social Investment Package by a substantial majority.

In this opinion the EESC shows how businesses and investors can work with their employees to find balanced approaches to overcoming the crisis.

For the very first time, an opinion was adopted on the abuse of the independent contractor worker status. The deregulation has led to a progression of this status, which can result in very problematic labour relations, especially in the context of cross-border services.

The Eastern Partnership was launched in 2009 in order to implement the European Neighbourhood Policy regarding the countries neighbouring the European Union in the east:

Blue Growth is the contribution of the EU's Integrated Maritime Policy to achieving the goals of the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.

Given that Europe does not seem to be on the right track to reach the Europe 2020 objectives, the EESC's report raises the issue of the choice of fiscal austerity policy and its consequences for the economy, jobs and social cohesion.