The Europe we are in the process of building is the Europe of the 21st century; it's not the Europe of the 20th century.

Europe started out with six countries; three small countries and three large countries.

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.

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

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

It's a different outlook, and one that I understand. When you are a former member of the Warsaw Pact, when you have lived behind the Berlin Wall, when you have experienced the communist systems that existed in these countries, for them, the West represents hope.

I was a Member of the European Parliament for a period of time and I saw a lot of European laws and treaties.