That is now my mission: to provide a European vision of growth, employment, prosperity - in one word, our future.

I won't wait until the end of my term to say I made mistakes at the beginning. That's too late. I will try to adopt the proper behaviour, if the French give me the chance, right from the start.

During a term in office there are highs and lows, but what counts is that the goal is set as well as the means to achieve it, and the force we put into getting results.

The transatlantic relationship is vital for both our countries: France will remain a reliable ally of the United States. Nevertheless, ally does not mean aligned.

Terrorism fuels itself from all kinds of illicit trafficking: drugs, weapons, human beings.

Germany and France are pinning their hopes on young people, in terms of education, science and innovation.

My mission is to put France back on its feet. The priority is employment. Efforts have to be made, but those efforts must be made fairly.