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.