It is rather unusual for Italy to be at the forefront of pro-market initiatives.

My aspiration is not to be loved. It is that my government be respected and credible.

As to the question of elected or not elected, each member of the European Commission has been appointed jointly by the governments of the 15 member states, and undergone individual scrutiny and a vote of confidence from the European Parliament.

A lot of the American press at the time was saying 'just watch what happens when Bertelsmann tries to buy EMI, that will be a moment of truth that will show the Commission's true colors.' Well, that deal never happened either.

Growth in any individual European country has to be the result of policies for growth pursued in that country consistent with budgetary discipline.

It is very unusual for a country to ask guys who are not politicians to come and run the country.

If governments let themselves be fully bound by the decisions of their parliaments without protecting their own freedom to act, a breakup of Europe would be a more probable outcome than deeper integration.