The Turks know that if they want to join the EU, then they must respect our rules. We are a union of beliefs, not a bunch of squawking chickens. But if we continue talks with Erdogan, that doesn't mean we have to bow down to him.

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.

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

With hindsight, it is always easy to blame everyone else.

I'm always quite amazed that people in Europe become unnerved when two institutions or two people have different views.

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

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