Jean-Pierre Raffarin Quotes & Sayings

“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.”

“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.”

“The Republic is open and tolerant but also knows how and when to be firm and make its values respected.”

“We feel an enormous sense of gratitude towards the American people.”

“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.”

“Obviously, there is diversity, but Europe is a union of diversity.”

“I am a believer, but I affirm that in public buildings the law of the Republic overrides religious rules.”

“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.”

“This constitution recognises the need for social dialogue involving labour and management; it involves trade unions in the decision-making process; it has a social vision founded on social dialogue.”

“But the Republic has its rules and it must not tolerate any abuse of them.”