France has a very important relationship with Germany. But that does not mean that we agree about everything or that two of our universities or companies are not going to compete.

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.

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

France has a very important relationship with Germany. But that does not mean that we agree about everything or that two of our universities or companies are not going to compete.

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.

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