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

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.

I think that the proposed constitution is one of the European legal documents with the strongest social dimension I have seen since I began following European issues.

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

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.

Let them be reassured, it has never been one of our intentions to ban religion in society, but solely to protect the national education system from any conspicuous display of religious affiliation.

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.