Jean-Pierre Raffarin quotes

When I see the cultural diversity that exists today, I feel that we must defend it, and we need Europe, because otherwise we are going to live in a society with a single model, the Anglo-American model. (Jean-Pierre Raffarin)
Obviously, there is diversity, but Europe is a union of diversity. View quote
Jean-Pierre Raffarin
The Republic is open and tolerant but also knows how and when to be firm and make its values respected. View quote
Jean-Pierre Raffarin
We must stress that the euro has been beneficial to the European Union because, otherwise, in this context of international turmoil, every country would have to devalue their currencies. View quote
Jean-Pierre Raffarin
The United States, for a French citizen, is a friend, an ally, to whom we owe, along with most Europeans, our freedom. View quote
Jean-Pierre Raffarin
There have been major disagreements within the European Union. View quote
Jean-Pierre Raffarin
I am a believer, but I affirm that in public buildings the law of the Republic overrides religious rules. View quote
Jean-Pierre Raffarin
We believe that the European Union is facing a truly historic choice. View quote
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. View quote
Jean-Pierre Raffarin
I was a Member of the European Parliament for a period of time and I saw a lot of European laws and treaties. View quote
Jean-Pierre Raffarin
I think that the proposed constitution is one of the European legal documents with the strongest social dimension I have seen since I began following European issues. (Jean-Pierre Raffarin)
I believe that transatlantic relations are very important and that President Bush's visit to Brussels, in a few days, will have a major impact on that. View quote
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. View quote
Jean-Pierre Raffarin
We would like UN resolutions to be enforced, including on Iraq. View quote
Jean-Pierre Raffarin
Europe started out with six countries; three small countries and three large countries. View quote
Jean-Pierre Raffarin
A country like France now does two-thirds of its trade within the euro zone. View quote
Jean-Pierre Raffarin
It's true that the question of Iraq divided Europe. View quote
Jean-Pierre Raffarin
Let them be reassured, it has never been one of our intentions to ban religion in society, but solely to protect the national education system from any conspicuous display of religious affiliation. View quote
Jean-Pierre Raffarin
But the Republic has its rules and it must not tolerate any abuse of them. View quote
Jean-Pierre Raffarin
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. View quote
Jean-Pierre Raffarin
We feel an enormous sense of gratitude towards the American people. (Jean-Pierre Raffarin)
Prohibiting a visible religious sign, which isn't a manifestation of militancy, would look like a fight against religions. View quote
Jean-Pierre Raffarin
The Europe we are in the process of building is the Europe of the 21st century; it's not the Europe of the 20th century. View quote
Jean-Pierre Raffarin
I tell fundamentalists that there is no question of them attacking our Republic's foundations. View quote
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. View quote
Jean-Pierre Raffarin