I am glad that Angela Merkel is the German Chancellor, as she tries to combine a sense of responsibility with morality and values. Because this is the essence of Europe.

The strategic partnership between the European Union and the United States is rooted in our shared values of freedom, human rights, democracy and a belief in the market economy.

If we believe that the EU is only a fair-weather event we will be doomed. The EU cannot be an answer only to the tragedies of the past but also to the problems of the future. We must understand that the geopolitical holidays are over. It's time to go back to school where there will be only hard exams to take.

Im plain incapable of getting angry with Angela Merkel and likewise.

Nothing would be better today if Europe were divided or smaller. Today we have to say loud and clear that the crises, which have affected Europe cannot serve as a pretext for its disintegration. A mini-Europe would be the worst response to the maxi problems we have to face.

Many militant conflicts began with war-like words. The blame game is currently more popular in the EU than football. But maybe there is also a good side to this. We now talk more honestly and emotionally with each other. Not in the soulless Euro-lingo of earlier times.

My government is in no sense anti-Russian.