A/HRC/7/15 page 6 19. Another challenge is that, in some of the member States that recently joined the European Union, the average income is quite low compared to the European Union average. Hence, there may be a need to review the concept of absolute poverty in such a context. Currently, there is no agreed standard of what constitutes “adequate income” in the European Union. Recommendations made by the Council of Ministers refer only to qualitative aspects of minimum living standards but do not mention quantitative requirements. The harmonization of wages at the European Union level cannot be the objective, as wages should reflect the cost of living and the actual level of productivity. 20. The independent expert met with Fintan Farrel of the European Anti-Poverty Network, a group of civil society organizations from 24 European countries active in the field of research and advocacy. The Network closely monitors the implementation of social policy coordination by the European Union. 21. The Network drew the following key issues to the attention of the independent expert: (a) A major focus must be kept on relative poverty and widening inequality within the European Union. The multidimensional nature and human rights aspects of poverty should be emphasized. There was a need for further work on indicators that capture relative poverty and social exclusion; (b) The shift in European Union strategy in 2005, which was triggered by the change of the European Commission leadership, was a matter of concern. The newly-defined strategy emphasized economic growth and employment-creation as a means to overcome poverty more than mainstreaming social inclusion, which was agreed upon as a common strategy in 2000 in Lisbon; (c) The declining trend in financing for social protection and distributional measures suggested by the European Union joint report was of particular concern. Apparently, they were the result of market pressure currently faced by European Union member States. That trend was undermining universality and the quality of public services enjoyed by all. 22. On 16 January, the independent expert participated in a seminar at the Higher Institute of Labour Studies at the University of Leuven, attended by scholars and representatives of civil society. The independent expert presented his views on the relationship between extreme poverty and human rights. Referring to the definition of poverty as a combination of income poverty, human development poverty and social exclusion, he highlighted the relevance of experiences in Europe in addressing social exclusion. The discussion generally supported his view, and suggested a need for continuing research and exploration of this subject, including of the role of civil society and individuals, in addition to the primary obligation of States to fulfil human rights. IV. DEFINITION OF EXTREME POVERTY 23. In his first report, the independent expert devised a working definition of poverty as a combination of income poverty, human development poverty and social exclusion. Extreme poverty was an extreme deprivation, in terms of some consensual definitions of severity of deprivation, especially when all these elements of deprivation coexist.