The good thing about the European Union is that the joint project ultimately benefits all Member States and not just a few.

I'm always quite amazed that people in Europe become unnerved when two institutions or two people have different views.

My main concern is to protect people from detriment.

As a human being I am personally saddened, as I have a great deal of respect for the large number of British colleagues I have worked with over the years. That is why I personally invested countless hours, days and nights, in negotiating a fair deal for the United Kingdom.

When the going gets tough, you have to lie.

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.

The Greek nation has to be respected. I am not in the camp of those who openly want to humiliate Greece.