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.

I think we can say our energy system will be the most efficient and environmentally friendly in the world.

If Europe today accounts for just over 7 per cent of the world's population, produces around 25 per cent of global GDP and has to finance 50 per cent of global social spending, then it's obvious that it will have to work very hard to maintain its prosperity and way of life.

On the issue past of independence of Germany, after the time of National Socialism, Germany has been given an enormous amount of help particularly and also from the United States of America. A fact that we were able to enjoy German unification is due first and foremost to the help of the United States of America.

I'm very grateful that Barack Obama as president very much put protection of privacy on the agenda today, due to the fact of Islamist terrorism all over the world.

NATO needs to adapt its strategy to meet new challenges

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