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

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.

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

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

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.

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

It's true that the question of Iraq divided Europe.