Trump is a partner for us who cannot be easily categorized. Putting it in the noblest way possible, his understanding of politics is a little different from ours here in Europe. The way he acts forces us Europeans to take on a new responsibility. We are not standing with our backs up against the wall, but, to put it as pithily as the German chancellor has: We can no longer rely on the U.S. the way we could in the past.

I urge everyone to be patient and reasonable and I warn against shooting from the hip in the truest sense of the term. Pressure and dialogue are needed.

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

The Turks know that if they want to join the EU, then they must respect our rules. We are a union of beliefs, not a bunch of squawking chickens. But if we continue talks with Erdogan, that doesn't mean we have to bow down to him.

I notice with a certain sense of regret that far too many Europeans are returning to a regional and national mindset.

I believe neither the French nor the Dutch really rejected the constitutional treaty.

Anyone who believes that the eternal question of war and peace in Europe is no longer there risks being deeply mistaken.