My friendship with Martin [Schulz], by contrast, is completely different in that it goes far beyond politics.

I wouldn't like Greece to stay recession. I do think that everything has to be undertaken to reconnect with growth.

I'm ready to be insulted as being insufficiently democratic, but I want to be serious ... I am for secret, dark debates.

I don't think in national categories. For me it [policy] is about concepts and substance.

The person who is ahead in the end will have the advantage.

I am chilled by the realization of how similar circumstances in Europe in 2013 are to those of 100 years ago.

It is not acceptable that European Union countries are divided into those who give and those who take.