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.

I have the most profound respect for the Department of Justice and the FTC. We in Europe are a younger and I would say junior institution to the historical antitrust experience of the US.

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

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

I believe that in Europe, we have a collective leadership.

Italy even in the future will not need aid from the European Financial Stability Fund.

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