We can't completely rely on the aberrations of history to explain today's European necessities. Future-related issues are no less pressing.

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

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

We must go back to teach Europeans to love Europe.

I assumed office to bring the EU to a point from which there is no going back. Instead, I am having to unwind the EU to a certain extent.

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

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.