“The French want to regain control of their own country. They want to determine the course of their own economy and their immigration policies. They want their own laws to take precedence over those of the European Union.” WantCountryLawCoursesEconomyPolicyUnionsDetermineImmigrationEuropean UnionPrecedenceImmigration Policy Author:Marine Le Pen
“People want their own laws to take precedence over those of the European Union. The French have understood that the EU does not live up to the utopia they were sold. It has distanced itself significantly from a democratic mode of operation.” PeopleWantDoeLawUnderstoodUnionsDemocraticOperationsUtopiaEuropean UnionPrecedence Author:Marine Le Pen
“Angela Merkel wants to impose her policies on others. This will lead to an explosion of the European Union.” WantPolicyUnionsExplosionsEuropean UnionAngela Author:Marine Le Pen
“Europe is sort of like the Soviet Union in the '30s and '40s. There was an argument, is it reformable or not? There is a feeling, and I think it's correct, that the European Union, the eurozone, and the euro, is not reformable, as a result of the Lisbon treaties and the other treaties that have created the euro. Europe has to be taken apart in order to be put together not on a right-wing, neoliberal basis, but on a more social basis.” ThinkingFeelingsTogetherTakenArgumentSovietSoviet UnionEuropean UnionEuro Author:Michael Hudson
“Europe is nervous. Already rattled this year by the shock of the Brexit vote, the European Union needs stability in Italy, a country notorious for its instability.” CountryVoteNervousStabilityEuropean UnionInstabilityNotorious Author:Matteo Renzi
“EU tech companies face massive global competitors from Silicon Valley and China. Our goal should be to create real European champions and not to focus on a narrow competition between European states. I strongly believe the European Union can help a lot there by promoting a homogeneous and startup-friendly framework that could help European digital champions to become truly global.” BelieveRealHelpingGoalFocusCompetitionChampionEuropean Union Author:Axelle Lemaire
“Trump's election has opened many people's eyes in Europe to how valuable the European Union and international cooperation are.” EyeElectionValuableCooperationEuropean Union Author:Cecilia Malmstrom
“One of things that surprised me when I was in Iran was to find out that the country finances seven times as many sex change operations as the entire European Union. And the reason for that is because Ayatollah Khomeini himself, in the early 1960s, in the same time that he was developing this other idea of an Islamic state, also hit upon the idea that if a person is born into the wrong sex, it was entirely proper for them to change sex.” CountryReasonSevenFinanceIslamic1960sEuropean Union Author:Sadakat Kadri
“There is no Croatian dream. There is no European Union dream. There is no Chinese communist dream, except maybe to get out. But there is and always has been an American dream. And the dream is possible. The dream can become real.” RealDreamChineseCommunistAmerican DreamEuropean Union Author:Rush Limbaugh
“In the Swiss government there is a will to limit the number of doctors themselves, because with new bilateral agreements with the European Union, there is what we call the "free flow of persons"; that our borders are open to immigration. And as the Swiss doctors are better paid than others, we could have a huge increase of immigration of doctors, more than we need. So we decided to limit the numbers of doctors coming into Switzerland. It is not a very intelligent system, but it is the best one that we have found to limit immigration of doctors.” IntelligentImmigrationEuropean Union Author:Pascal Couchepin
“I'm not very enthusiastic about smaller nations forming their own states, particularly those in the West, where they would, after gaining 'independence', remain in the alliances that are oppressing and plundering the entire world: like NATO or the European Union. The breaking of the great country of Yugoslavia into small pieces was a hostile, evil design by the West. The dissolution of Czechoslovakia after the so-called "Velvet Revolution" was a total idiocy. But Catalonia, if it became independent, would become one of the richest parts of Europe.” WorldCountryEvilDesignRevolutionIndependentEnthusiasticEuropean UnionNatoGreat CountryIdiocy Author:Andre Vltchek
“France has a special position: We are Continental Europe's nuclear power and a permanent member of the UN Security Council. This special role, though, only makes sense if France fills it as a member state of the European Union. France cannot play this role alone, it must be seen as a part of Europe. I have always insisted on that.” SpecialSecurityMake SenseEuropean UnionNuclear Power Author:Emmanuel Macron
“After the fall of communism in Poland, we had a post-communist as president for two terms: Aleksander Kwasniewski. He was very good. He brought Poland into NATO and the European Union. The call to finally clean house is a propaganda tool of the right, which tolerates the leftists who it condemns. Kaczynski appointed a judge to the position of deputy justice minister who had once sentenced current President Bronislaw Komorowski to a prison term.” FallHousePresidentTermJusticeJudgingPrisonVery GoodCommunismPropagandaTolerateEuropean UnionNato Author:Adam Michnik
“It is positive that the United States and the European Union show a great deal of unity. Putin did not expect that. He thought he could split the EU, but the opposite happened: The EU imposed sanctions and even scaled them up. Of course we need more financial and military aid, the supply of lethal weapons is of crucial importance to us.” MilitaryImportanceUnityFinancialAidsEuropean Union Author:Arseniy Yatsenyuk
“There were various different keys in which European history had tended to be written. One is the lyrical key, the idea that somehow, in Bretton-Woods in 1945, a bunch of well-intentioned men got together and said, "This can't go on; let's build a European Union." And it just wasn't like that.” MenDifferentTogetherVariousEuropean UnionLyrical Author:Tony Judt
“It isn't easy for everyone in Germany to make ends meet through well-paid work in Germany. You have to have sufficient skills and work hard. And I also know that we have much too much poverty and inequality here. Still, our parents and grandparents built an incredibly prosperous and peaceful country. One shouldn't, of course, play down the degree to which this is dependent on our economic strength. The truth is that Moscow, Beijing and Washington have one thing in common: They don't value the European Union at all. They disregard it.” CountryValuesEasyParentCommonPovertyEconomicHard WorkTruth IsPeacefulInequalityGrandparentProsperousEuropean Union Author:Sigmar Gabriel
“I think it's extremely unlikely that the European Union will fracture with nations dropping off the edge.” ThinkingNationsUnionsEdgesUnlikelyDroppingEuropean UnionFracture Author:John Major
“A new state, if it wants to join the European Union, has to apply to become a member of the European Union like any state.” IfsWantStatesMembersUnionsEuropean Union Author:Jose Manuel Barroso
“Norwegian legislation is more in conformity with the rules of the European Union than most member states.” StatesMembersUnionsConformityLegislationEuropean UnionNorwegians Author:Jose Manuel Barroso
“I will not say the fact that there are no European Union observers at an election means that it will not be fair and free.” MeanFactsEuropeFairsElectionUnionsObserversEuropean Union Author:Olusegun Obasanjo
“It is the hope of the European Union that Ariel Sharon will keep the peace process alive and continue the dialogue according to the wishes of all the parties involved.” WishProcessPartyAliveInvolvedEuropeUnionsDialogueEuropean UnionArielSharon Author:Goran Persson
“There have been major disagreements within the European Union.” Has BeensMajorsEuropeUnionsDisagreementEuropean Union Author:Jean-Pierre Raffarin
“We believe that the European Union is facing a truly historic choice.” BelieveChoicesEuropeUnionsHistoricEuropean Union Author:Jean-Pierre Raffarin
“We have used the presence of UNMIK, as well as other European and American agencies to establish a legal framework compatible with the European Union and that is already an advantage. We have seen the positive effects of this and our parliament will continue to go this way.” WayWellsUsedEffectsEuropeAdvantageUnionsAgencyParliamentFrameworkEuropean UnionCompatible Author:Ibrahim Rugova
“As the political leaders of Europe meet to save the euro and European Union, so should religious leaders.” ShouldPoliticalReligiousLeaderEuropeUnionsEuropean UnionEuroPolitical LeadersReligious Leaders Author:Jonathan Sacks
“I am not a British isolationist. I don't just want a better deal for Britain. I want a better deal for Europe too.” WantDealsEuropeBritishBritainEuropean Union Author:David Cameron
“Because with courage and conviction I believe we can deliver a more flexible, adaptable and open European Union in which the interests and ambitions of all its members can be met.” BelieveI BelieveInterestMetsMembersAmbitionUnionsConvictionFlexibleEuropean UnionAdaptable Author:David Cameron
“I don't just want a better deal for Britain. I want a better deal for Europe too. So I speak as British prime minister with a positive vision for the future of the European Union. A future in which Britain wants, and should want, to play a committed and active part.” WantShouldPlaySpeakDealsVisionEuropeUnionsCommittedBritishActiveMinistersBritainPrimePrime MinisterEuropean Union Author:David Cameron
“The biggest danger to the European Union comes not from those who advocate change, but from those who denounce new thinking as heresy. In its long history, Europe has experience [with] heretics who turned out to have a point.” ThinkingLongDangerEuropeUnionsHeresyEuropean UnionHeretic Author:David Cameron
“We have the character of an island nation: independent, forthright, passionate in defence of our sovereignty. We can no more change this British sensibility than we can drain the English Channel. And because of this sensibility, we come to the European Union with a frame of mind that is more practical than emotional.” MindCharacterNationsEmotionalIndependentUnionsPassionateBritishPracticalsIslandsSensibilitySovereigntyDefenceDrainsEuropean UnionFrame Of Mind Author:David Cameron
“After the Berlin Wall came down I visited that city and I will never forget it. The abandoned checkpoints. The sense of excitement about the future. The knowledge that a great continent was coming together. Healing those wounds of our history is the central story of the European Union.” StoriesTogetherForgetCitiesHealingWallUnionsWoundsExcitementNever ForgetAbandonedContinentsForget ItBerlinEuropean UnionComing TogetherBerlin WallCheckpoints Author:David Cameron
“I believe something very deeply. That Britain's national interest is best served in a flexible, adaptable and open European Union and that such a European Union is best with Britain in it.” BelieveI BelieveInterestUnionsBritainFlexibleEuropean UnionNational InterestsAdaptable Author:David Cameron
“If we left the European Union, it would be a one-way ticket, not a return. So we will have time for a proper, reasoned debate. At the end of that debate you, the British people, will decide.” PeopleIfsWayEndsWould BeLeftReturnUnionsBritishDebateOne WayTicketsEuropean Union Author:David Cameron
“It does not seem to me that the steps which would be needed to make Britain - and others - more comfortable in their relationship in the European Union are inherently so outlandish or unreasonable.” DoeSeemsWould BeStepsNeededComfortableUnionsBritainEuropean UnionUnreasonableOutlandish Author:David Cameron
“Today, hundreds of millions dwell in freedom, from the Baltic to the Adriatic, from the Western Approaches to the Aegean. And while we must never take this for granted, the first purpose of the European Union - to secure peace - has been achieved and we should pay tribute to all those in the EU, alongside Nato, who made that happen.” ShouldFirstsHas BeensMadeHappensTodayPurposePayMillionsApproachUnionsWesternSecureGrantedTributeEuropean UnionNato Author:David Cameron
“As you probably know, some American politicians and American journalists refer to Washington, DC as the "capital of the free world." But it seems to me that Brussels, which boasts 1,000 years of history and which serves as the capital of Belgium, the home of the European Union, and the headquarters for NATO, this city has its own legitimate claim to that title.” KnowsWorldYearsHomeSeemsCitiesPoliticianClaimsUnionsJournalistTitlesPatriotismBoastEuropean UnionNatoBelgiumGreat CitiesFree WorldWashington DcBrusselsHeadquarters Author:Joe Biden
“If the euro zone doesn't come up with a comprehensive vision of its own future, you'll have a whole range of nationalist, xenophobic and extreme movements increasing across the European Union. And, frankly, questions about the British debate on EU membership will just be a small sideshow compared to the rise of political populism.” IfsWholePoliticalVisionMovementUnionsCome UpExtremesBritishDebateRangeZoneComprehensiveEuropean UnionEuroMembershipPopulismSideshows Author:Nick Clegg
“The UK is not going to leave the European Union. Of course not. We are inextricably wound up with Europe. In terms of culture, history and geography, we are a European nation.” CultureCoursesNationsTermEuropeUnionsWoundsGeographyEuropean Union Author:Nick Clegg
“I also believe that we have an extraordinary opportunity for the United States and European Union to lead the world in developing and implementing new and more efficient technologies - smart electrical grids and electrical vehicles.” WorldBelieveStatesOpportunityUnitedTechnologyUnited StatesSmartEuropeUnionsExtraordinaryDevelopingEfficientVehicleEuropean UnionElectricalGridsImplementing Author:Hillary Clinton
“The ultimate goal is not simply a superhighway, but an integrated North American Union--complete with a currency, a cross-national bureaucracy, and virtually borderless travel within the Union. Like the European Union, a North American Union would represent another step toward the abolition of national sovereignty altogether.” GoalStepsCrossesUltimateUnionsCurrencyBureaucracySovereigntyIntegratedEuropean UnionAbolitionUltimate GoalNational Sovereignty Author:Ron Paul
“The fusion (of economic functions) would compel nations to fuse their sovereignty into that of a single European State.” StatesNationsEconomicEuropeFunctionSovereigntyEuropean UnionEuroFusionFuse Author:Jean Monnet
“Speaking from my experience as a person involved for a long time in building the European Union, it is important to have patience and efforts to build a community of nations.” PersonsLongImportantNationsCommunityEffortBuildingInvolvedLong TimePatienceUnionsEuropean UnionHaving Patience Author:Giorgio Napolitano
“The ability of the countries within the region to cooperate and establish good-neighborly relations ... will be an important criterion for evaluating their prospects of full integration with the European Union.” ImportantCountryAbilityRelationUnionsRegionsIntegrationCriteriaEuropean UnionProspects Author:Martti Ahtisaari
“The European Union and environmental advocacy groups use global warming hysteria to advance their own special agendas. The European Union recognizes any significant reduction in CO2 emissions by the United States will significantly reduce its economic output, thereby bringing it closer to the inferior output of European nations.” StatesUseNationsUnitedUnited StatesGroupsEconomicSpecialUnionsEnvironmentalSignificantGlobal WarmingAgendasInferiorsReductionEuropean UnionEmissionsHysteriaAdvocacyOutputCo2Co2 Emissions Author:Jay H. Lehr
“The reality is that until we can agree on a formula that reduces tariffs globally we cannot meet this Doha promise for development. In order to keep momentum post-Hong Kong, the European Union must be willing to move.” RealityMovingOrderWillingDevelopmentPromiseAgreeUnionsPostsFormulasMomentumEuropean UnionHong KongTariffs Author:Rob Portman
“Climate change is a crucial issue in todays global agenda. Hopefully, we will wake up to this reality, sooner rather than later. Pressure has been mounting on European Union Member States to act decisively to fight global warming. A bold target has been set reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 20 by 2020.” Has BeensStatesRealityTodayFightingIssuesMembersWake UpPressureUnionsClimateClimate ChangeHopefullyGlobal WarmingAgendasTargetCrucialCarbonReducingEuropean UnionEmissionsCarbon DioxideCarbon Dioxide Emissions Author:Joseph Muscat
“The New World Order is a more palatable name for the Anglo American world empire. It's the planetary domination of London, New York, Washington over the rest of the world. It's hard to get people to join that or think they have a part in it if you called it the Anglo American world empire. If you call it the New World Order, then people in India or some place like that or the European Union might think, "Well, there's something there for us too." But that's not what it is; it's the Anglo American New World Order.” PeopleIfsThinkingWorldWellsHardMightOrderNamesNew YorkIndiaUnionsLondonEmpiresNew WorldDominationEuropean UnionNew World OrderWorld Order Author:Alex Jones
“I'm a great supporter of the European Union. I didn't support entry to the Euro, not because I'm against it in principle but because I didn't think it was economically right for Britain. But that doesn't make me any less pro-European.” ThinkingPrinciplesSupportUnionsBritainSupporterEuropean UnionEntryEuro Author:Gordon Brown
“What I'd do is not have USAID and the National Endowment for Democracy working with U.S. taxpayers' money to knock off an elected government in Ukraine, which is what they did. I wouldn't try to force the people of Ukraine into a deal with NATO against their interest or into a deal with the European Union, which is against their economic interest.” PeopleTryingGovernmentForceInterestDealsDemocracyEconomicUnionsTaxpayersUkraineEuropean UnionNatoEndowmentUsaid Author:Dennis Kucinich
“When I saw how the European Union was developing, it was very obvious what they had in mind was not democratic. In Britain, you vote for a government so the government has to listen to you, and if you don't like it you can change it.” IfsMindGovernmentChangeDemocracySawsListeningEuropeVoteElectionUnionsDemocraticObviousDevelopingBritainVotingGoverningEuropean Union Author:Tony Benn