We believe that the European Union is facing a truly historic choice.

I am a believer, but I affirm that in public buildings the law of the Republic overrides religious rules.

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

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

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.

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.