Prohibiting a visible religious sign, which isn't a manifestation of militancy, would look like a fight against religions.

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

Obviously, there is diversity, but Europe is a union of diversity.

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.

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

We must stress that the euro has been beneficial to the European Union because, otherwise, in this context of international turmoil, every country would have to devalue their currencies.

I think that we must come together progressively, with the British, the Germans, the Spanish, the Italians and with the new members of the European Union, we must make an effort to forge closer links.