If we want to defeat Islamic State, we first have to arrive at a cease-fire agreement in Syria. Once that has been achieved, an anti-IS coalition can be assembled, including Russia, Saudi Arabia and Iran. That, however, will be significantly more difficult in the wake of Turkey's downing of the Russian plane.

If we no longer judge the content of people's actions, but merely their form, then we are entering dangerous times indeed.

I have friends in politics who really put the friendship to the test through their behavior.

The problem with us EU politicians is that we approach everything with cool rationality, and then wonder why we don't win people over emotionally.

When we were negotiating the ongoing financial period in 2013, I talked myself hoarse. London and Berlin in particular insisted on reducing the budget. So we - to the applause of German journalists - made cuts to central future-oriented areas and slashed the budget for development aid, research and technology.

Referendums are a democratic instrument, but so are decisions reached in a parliamentary democracy. I advise extreme caution when it comes to referendums. In Germany too.

For German Social Democracy, Europe is vital to the national interest.