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.