Jose Manuel Barroso

“There's a tendency in many politicians to become inward-looking, more protectionist, more nationalistic and more defensive, in the bad sense of the word.”

“Even when governments take the right steps to reform, these can be negatively impacted by events outside their control.”

“The Eurogroup decisions are always taken unanimously.”

“There is no stability without solidarity and no solidarity without stability.”

“Growth based on debt is unsustainable, artificial.”

“We need open, competitive, market economies... but at the same time with effective regulation and supervision.”

“Germany is the biggest economy of Europe and we need Germany on board for the economic reforms of Europe, including, of course, the deepening of the internal market, resisting protectionism, and supporting further economic policy coordination.”

“Financial transaction tax raises problems of competition.”

“The euro area must not be treated as an 'opt out' from the European Union.”

“Let us not forget that the European Community started as a project for peace after the terrible Second World War. And today people take for granted the freedom to travel, to study, to work abroad. And the citizens of one country have almost exactly the same rights as another country.”

“Norwegian legislation is more in conformity with the rules of the European Union than most member states.”

“I say to my friends, 'Don't just listen to the vuvuzelas; look at who scores the goals.' And this is the important thing.”

“By the way, the European Union Member States together - even the euro area Member States together - are by far the biggest contributors to the IMF.”

“I have full confidence in the IMF. It is a very strong international institution.”

“Internal protectionism in Europe would be deadly, really a disaster for European economies.”

“I am a very committed European.”