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.

We shall say clearly that any symbol conspicuously displaying religious affiliation in school is prohibited.

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

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.

There have been major disagreements within the European Union.

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.

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