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

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

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

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

I tell fundamentalists that there is no question of them attacking our Republic's foundations.

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.

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