My real adversary has no name, no face, no party. It will never be elected, yet it governs - the adversary is the world of finance.

If we don't manage to find not just a compromise but a lasting peace agreement, we know perfectly well what the scenario will be. It has a name, it's called war.

I know where I'm going and I have told the French. I am sure if hope is there, we will be able to put France back on its feet to live better in five years than we do today.

I think that France has not made it clear enough recently to our German friends how important it is to introduce euro bonds as a tool against speculation. And how the necessary budget discipline needs to be accompanied by growth.

I attach the greatest importance to an amplification of the peace efforts in the Middle East. I would also like to see a greater dialogue between the U.S. and the EU.

To be influential in tomorrow's world, to defend our values and our development model, France needs Europe and Europe needs France.

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.