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.

There cannot be prosperity without security.

Before you, I engage myself to serve my country with the devotion and the exemplary that this post demands. I understand responsibilities of the job and, as such, I give a republican salute to Nicolas Sarkozy who has led France for 5 years and who deserves all of our respect.

What is at stake is preserving our relations with the United States. They should not be changed because of what has happened. But trust has to be restored and reinforced.

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.

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 have chased away the clouds, the sky is all 'rose.'