Mario Monti Quotes & Sayings

“I am certain that most Germans have instinctive liking for Italy, just as Italians admire Germans for their many qualities.”

“The two greatest priorities for my government are tackling tax evasion and corruption.”

“If governments let themselves be fully bound by the decisions of their parliaments without protecting their own freedom to act, a breakup of Europe would be a more probable outcome than deeper integration.”

“Like other antitrust agencies we make our assessment of a merger or antitrust case based on its impact on our jurisdiction, and not on the nationality of the companies. This is exactly what the U.S. antitrust agencies, the Justice Department and the FTC, do.”

“There was in Italy a hidden demand for a boring government which would try to tell the truth in non-political jargon.”

“I know this isn't a widespread view in the Anglo Saxon world, but I believe that much of the reconciliation between more centralized governance and the scope for democracy - democratic control - will be resolved through an even stronger role of the European Parliament.”

“I know that speaking with parties, which I do, but not very often, is seen by many as a 'contamination.'”

“It is very unusual for a country to ask guys who are not politicians to come and run the country.”

“This is certainly not the first case in which a merger approved in one place hasn't gone through in the other. There was a case last year where the merger between two EU companies was approved here and blocked in the U.S.”

“I hope that my government can help change Italian mentality.”