This constitution recognises the need for social dialogue involving labour and management; it involves trade unions in the decision-making process; it has a social vision founded on social dialogue.

We must stress that the euro has been beneficial to the European Union because, otherwise, in this context of international turmoil, every country would have to devalue their currencies.

What's very important is that we build a space that matters in the world, one that operates according to democratic rules, and that small and large countries enjoy a good relationship.

When I see the cultural diversity that exists today, I feel that we must defend it, and we need Europe, because otherwise we are going to live in a society with a single model, the Anglo-American model.

But the Republic has its rules and it must not tolerate any abuse of them.

It's a different outlook, and one that I understand. When you are a former member of the Warsaw Pact, when you have lived behind the Berlin Wall, when you have experienced the communist systems that existed in these countries, for them, the West represents hope.

A country like France now does two-thirds of its trade within the euro zone.

Europe started out with six countries; three small countries and three large countries.

I am a believer, but I affirm that in public buildings the law of the Republic overrides religious rules.

I tell fundamentalists that there is no question of them attacking our Republic's foundations.

I was a Member of the European Parliament for a period of time and I saw a lot of European laws and treaties.

It's true that the question of Iraq divided Europe.

Obviously, there is diversity, but Europe is a union of diversity.

Prohibiting a visible religious sign, which isn't a manifestation of militancy, would look like a fight against religions.

The Europe we are in the process of building is the Europe of the 21st century; it's not the Europe of the 20th century.

The Republic is open and tolerant but also knows how and when to be firm and make its values respected.

The United States, for a French citizen, is a friend, an ally, to whom we owe, along with most Europeans, our freedom.

There have been major disagreements within the European Union.

We believe that the European Union is facing a truly historic choice.

We feel an enormous sense of gratitude towards the American people.