The Italian economy has been held back for decades.

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

If the euro becomes a factor promoting Europe's drifting apart, then the foundation of the European project is destroyed.

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.

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

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

There is no government in Europe where ministers go through that kind of confirmation process, which in fact is modeled on the way the U.S. cabinet members are confirmed.