A country like France now does two-thirds of its trade within the euro zone.

Let them be reassured, it has never been one of our intentions to ban religion in society, but solely to protect the national education system from any conspicuous display of religious affiliation.

It's important to show that, while authorizing the demonstrations and promoting diversity of opinion, the Republic can't allow itself to be undermined from within.

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

I tell fundamentalists that there is no question of them attacking our Republic's foundations.

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

But the Republic has its rules and it must not tolerate any abuse of them.