A large country with such outstanding economic performance as Germany cannot forget that it owes some of its success to demand from other European countries.

No one imposes things on anyone in Europe. That's not my notion, nor is it my temperament. The EU has always functioned under the banner of respect, equilibrium and trust.

The German-French friendship is indispensable for Europe. And I will never let myself be carried away to making statements that would change it.

We're all taking part in this solidarity. The French, the Germans, just like all the Europeans in the ESM - the eurozone's new rescue fund. Let's stop thinking that there's only one country who's going to pay for the others. That's false.

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.

My goal is to put France back on its feet. I have to put this country back on its feet.

Is France a northern European export powerhouse, or a Mediterranean indebted and dependent economy? Yes to both.