I think that we must come together progressively, with the British, the Germans, the Spanish, the Italians and with the new members of the European Union, we must make an effort to forge closer links.
Jean-Pierre Raffarin

Europe started out with six countries; three small countries and three large countries.
Jean-Pierre Raffarin

Obviously, there is diversity, but Europe is a union of diversity.
Jean-Pierre Raffarin

We believe that the European Union is facing a truly historic choice.
Jean-Pierre Raffarin

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.
Jean-Pierre Raffarin

France has a very important relationship with Germany. But that does not mean that we agree about everything or that two of our universities or companies are not going to compete.
Jean-Pierre Raffarin

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

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.
Jean-Pierre Raffarin