Frans Timmermans

“I will do everything I can... to make sure that Poland sticks to a development that fosters the rule of law, democracy.”

“We need a tough approach to make justice prevail and, also, because sports should not be damaged by the violence of hooligans.”

“I think we have a political and moral duty to do everything within our power to maintain the Good Friday Agreement.”

“I think in Trump's view of the world, when the other person loses, he wins.”

“Let's be clear: a nationalist is not a patriot.”

“Respect for the rule of law is not optional; it's fundamental.”

“My parents married in 1959 and came to Amsterdam on honeymoon. That was a huge thing, event, for them. Now my children fly off for the weekend to Riga, Prague, or Barcelona.”

“Is wellbeing only economic growth? Only salaries? Or is wellbeing also being able to breathe clean air and drink clean water?”

“The argument that won the Brexit campaign is the one that said take back control... which is another way of saying we want to control our destinies again. This is an existential issue for the whole of Europe, not just for the U.K., because this sentiment is not limited to the United Kingdom.”

“As long as U.K. remains member of the E.U., it should respect the E.U. law.”

“I think the E.U. means different things to different countries. In the U.K., traditionally, if you know anything about the U.K.'s history and its relationship with the E.U., it is about the common market; it's about being part of something that is good for jobs and growth.”

“Britain can get far better results if it engages with Europe than standing on the sidelines and saying that Europe should change.”

“The main actors on the world stage are the size of continents, be they nation states or voluntary groupings of nation states such as the E.U. Nostalgia can help us ignore these harsh realities for a while, but it will not make them go away.”

“It has become routine for national politicians to blame Europe. When something works, they claim it as their success. When something doesn't work, then Europe is to blame.”

“Responsible politicians should never indulge in nostalgia - it is too much of a distraction at a time when a rapidly changing world throws up so many challenges, when we need to keep our wits about us.”

“I find it unspeakably sad that the United Kingdom has voted to leave the European Union.”

“If we do not counter the argument that most radical nationlists use, which is, 'To protect is to be protectionist,' if we don't counter that argument, all of our economies will suffer.”

“In a free Europe... the system of power lies on three pillars. These are democracy, rule of law, and human rights. It's impossible to use one against the other.”

“The absolute low point for me in more than 30 years of professional life was the Brexit vote.”

“Nationalism makes us poor because its Siamese twin, protectionism, will destroy the internal market and disrupt international trade.”