A united Europe is our Continent's only chance to avoid falling off the world's radar. The heads of government of Germany, France and the United Kingdom also know that their voice is only heard internationally because they speak through the megaphone of the European Union.

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

If someone complains about Europe from Monday to Saturday then nobody is going to believe him on Sunday when he says he is a convinced European.

The problem is: When two governments or institutions in Europe hold differing opinions, it is immediately a crisis.

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

In the highest government office, you have to be ready to bow out at any time, otherwise you are not a free individual anymore.

I said in my inaugural address that I am not the Council's secretary, nor am I the Parliament's lackey. That can sometimes lead to conflicts, which are defused through dialogue.