I believe that transatlantic relations are very important and that President Bush's visit to Brussels, in a few days, will have a major impact on that.

When I see the cultural diversity that exists today, I feel that we must defend it, and we need Europe, because otherwise we are going to live in a society with a single model, the Anglo-American model.

The United States, for a French citizen, is a friend, an ally, to whom we owe, along with most Europeans, our freedom.

We believe that the European Union is facing a truly historic choice.

The Republic is open and tolerant but also knows how and when to be firm and make its values respected.

I am a believer, but I affirm that in public buildings the law of the Republic overrides religious rules.

What's very important is that we build a space that matters in the world, one that operates according to democratic rules, and that small and large countries enjoy a good relationship.