I'm convinced that, in the long term, a monetary union includes a joint debt policy under strict, mutually agreed upon conditions.

I'm not deaf and the Commission isn't operating in a parallel world of legal texts.

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

When the going gets tough, you have to lie.

Europe is a democracy and differences of opinion are part of it.

Greeks have to know that they are not alone ... Those who are fighting for the survivor of Greece inside the Euro area are deeply harmed by the impression floating around in the Greek public opinion that Greece is a victim. Greece is a member of the EU and the euro. I want Greece to be a constructive member of the Union because the EU is also benefiting from Greece.

In Europe, even more so than in national politics, we have to follow the principle laid down by Martin Luther: Use language that the people will understand, but don't just tell them what they want to hear.