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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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