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.

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

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

There have been major disagreements within the European Union.

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

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.