The Italian economy has been held back for decades.

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.

If Spain goes under, Italy will come under even more scrutiny.

I am certain that most Germans have instinctive liking for Italy, just as Italians admire Germans for their many qualities.

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

Reference to the territory and total disregard for the nationality of the companies is of course the best guarantee that competition assessment remain just that and doesn't get affected by trade or other considerations.

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.