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

With their charm and legendary sense of humor, the British directly or indirectly paved the way for a large number of European compromises.

I have changed the focus of the work of my Commission so that we no longer concern ourselves with trivial details and concentrate on the key issues instead. By doing that, we met a large number of the legitimate demands made by the British people. The Commission really did do everything it could to create the conditions for a positive campaign.

During our religious instruction in school, we always asked: How can one prove the existence of God? And I have learned that the Catholic Church, which is never at a loss for an answer when it comes to existential questions, responds as follows: This question simply does not arise.

The position of EU commissioner for economic and monetary affairs could be combined with the office of Euro Group chairman. That job would be a great challenge for anyone who assumed it. On the one hand, he would have to make proposals. On the other hand, he would have to negotiate compromises with his European counterparts.

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

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