Different Voices

Different Voices

“I want to see a responsive, balanced wine sector, which makes wines that people want to drink, and which uses public money to support its valuable contribution to the beauty and well-being of rural areas...”
Mariann Fischer Boel, European commissioner for agriculture and rural development, on “wine and the art of living”.

“He's grieved by the moment. He bears the responsibility for the decisions that he's made.”
Dana Perino, White House press secretary, on President George W. Bush's reaction to the news that 4,000 US personnel have died in Iraq in the five years since the invasion.

“It was and is our responsibility to draw Mr Wilders' attention to the possible consequences of his deeds. Freedom does not absolve anyone from responsibility.”
Jan Peter Balkenende, prime minister of the Netherlands, on the imminent release of a movie by Dutch parliamentarian Geert Wilders which harshly criticises Islam.

“This is the first time that the very existence of the country is on the table so brutally, that the option of separation is so real, to the point that the French-speakers are beginning to prepare themselves...”
Joëlle Milquet, Belgium's new deputy prime minister, on the new government's mandate.

Different Voices

“We are having to deal with a very serious situation which I believe will last the whole year.”
Peer Steinbrück, Germany's finance minister, on financial market instability.

“It is not political leaders who take decisions on the value of the euro.”
José Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission, on currency volatility.

“I respect Nicolas Sarkozy's ideas because he respects mine.”
José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, prime minister of Spain, on the prospects for a Union for the Mediterranean.

“First, I don't like competitions and besides, I'm not beautiful enough.”
Jean-Claude Juncker, prime minister of Luxembourg, on the possibility of a beauty contest for the job of European Council president.

Different Voices

“Fidel is irreplaceable; the people will continue his work when he is no longer with us physically, though his ideas will be here always.”
Raul Castro, Cuba's newly-elected president, on his brother and predecessor.

“We need solidarity within the EU.”
László Kovács, the European commissioner for taxation and customs, on Germany's concern about tax evasion.

“The EU is an influential organisation, but it is not the place where decisions about the fate of other nations can be taken.”
Robert Fico, prime minister of Slovakia, on Kosovo's declaration of independence and its recognition by most EU member states.

“Sovereign wealth funds offer opportunities. They are not a big bad wolf at the door.”
José Manuel Barroso, the president of the European Commission, on a planned voluntary code for state-owned investment funds.

Different Voices

“We will not back a decision that takes our country back to the dark days of the 1970s.”
David Cameron, leader of the opposition Conservatives in the UK, on the government's decision to nationalise Northern Rock bank.

“We do not put fiscal interests above the rule of law.”
Prince Alois von und zu Liechtenstein, Liechtenstein's head of state, on his country's tax dispute with Germany.

“What is being prepared is a bad deal. We prefer no deal to a bad deal.”
Michel Barnier, France's farm minister, on proposals to restart world trade talks.

“What is important to Latvia is important to Europe.”
José Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission, on the Lisbon treaty and what it means for EU member states.