In ancient Greece, politics and the market were not decoupled.

When I was growing up in the United States and Sweden, I never thought about becoming a politician.

It is important that the Greek people make decisions on important developments.

The real problem in Greece is not cutting taxes, it's making sure that we don't have tax evasion.

At times of distress, we all like to recall the advice of fathers and mothers. The best advice my father gave me was to keep faith and deep confidence in the potential of the Greek people; nurture the belief that they can do things.

There is this concept of politics as a dirty game. It's a difficult game, but it doesn't have to be dirty. I think this is what we need to bring to politics. I think politics around the world has very often been captured by big interests - 'lobbies' they call them in the States.

I have always said I will be in politics to serve as best as I can and it will take me wherever it will take me.