It's true that in France there is always this ridiculous complex about money. Money is cursed, shameful, money disqualifies you . . . In America, even though it is a Protestant country, it's the opposite.

I definitely don't agree with that sort of rhetoric from the United States - this idea that all the major conflicts of our age need to be solved militarily.

I would hope that Europe always has a privileged relationship with the United States. The alternatives are not attractive.

I reject the idea that there is some sort of existential "clash of civilizations." I am an interventionist, but not a militarist. War should always be a last resort.

I would sooner want a strong partnership with the United States - even with (US President George W.) Bush, who I think is the worst president in a long, long time. I would sooner want a friendship with Bush than with (Russian President Vladimir) Putin.

I really like the United State, its relationship to space and time, its interest in mobility, its cosmopolitanism.

Europe needs to develop a sense of collective history - we need to write books from a European perspective, to teach it in schools as well.