I'm not suffering from withdrawal symptoms. I would say that I have a balanced state of mind.

In Europe, even more so than in national politics, we have to follow the principle laid down by Martin Luther: Use language that the people will understand, but don't just tell them what they want to hear.

You can't deepen the European Union against the wishes of the European countries.

I completely agree with Helmut Kohl. I am not an advocate of the "United States of Europe," nor am I an integration fanatic.

You can consider this carved in stone: I rule out becoming Herman Van Rompuy's successor.

I'm not deaf and the Commission isn't operating in a parallel world of legal texts.

I have a plan. It entails leading to a fair deal and relationship with the British. We will be reasonable, but we will also negotiate firmly and without gullibility. I believe we must come to an agreement for the people of Britain and the people on the Continent, but not under exclusively British terms.