The European Union and the United States of America are the big important economic areas for us, which is why I always have come up strongly in favor of concluding a trade agreement with the United States of America.

If you've worked together with somebody very well, leave-taking is very difficult. But we are all politicians. We all know that democracy lives off change. So, in the United States of America, the Constitution has very clear stipulations on this. It's a tough rule. Eight years and that's it, out goes the president and a new one comes in.

I think we live in a period of profound transformation. Very similar to when we had a transition from agricultural societies to industrial societies.

Ordinary people regard a man of a certain force and flexibility of character as they do a lion; they look at him with a sort of wonder, perhaps they admire him; but they will on no account house with him.

The full veil is not appropriate for Germans, and should be banned wherever legally possible.

With political means and always trying to work for political settlements and this is what I'm going to continue to work on with all my heart.

Let me say this on a personal note. Without the United States of America, I would in all probably not be able to stand here before you today.