Mario Monti

“Italy even in the future will not need aid from the European Financial Stability Fund.”

“There is no government in Europe where ministers go through that kind of confirmation process, which in fact is modeled on the way the U.S. cabinet members are confirmed.”

“My aspiration is not to be loved. It is that my government be respected and credible.”

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

“First of all, I don't like to speak about austerity. I'd prefer to speak of fiscal discipline. Fiscal discipline, in the end, amounts to austerity if it is not accompanied by other policies.”

“As to the question of elected or not elected, each member of the European Commission has been appointed jointly by the governments of the 15 member states, and undergone individual scrutiny and a vote of confidence from the European Parliament.”

“Not all Greeks are ready to do whatever is necessary to stay in the euro.”

“In the area of macroeconomic policies, I think we'll see more centralization, like in the budgetary sphere.”

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

“All I am saying is I will be a senator - should there be any special circumstance where the political forces would believe that there might be a need for my service, I would consider it.”

“It is rather unusual for Italy to be at the forefront of pro-market initiatives.”

“A lot of the American press at the time was saying 'just watch what happens when Bertelsmann tries to buy EMI, that will be a moment of truth that will show the Commission's true colors.' Well, that deal never happened either.”

“Europe has to avoid old prejudices and new ones. That means north versus south, rich versus poor.”

“The Italian economy has been held back for decades.”

“Reference to the territory and total disregard for the nationality of the companies is of course the best guarantee that competition assessment remain just that and doesn't get affected by trade or other considerations.”

“I believe that reforms will not really take hold if they do not gradually come into the culture of the people.”

“What will growth policy have to look like in a fiscally compacted Europe? Clearly any illusion of budget stimulated growth policy will have to go away.”

“So I think democracy, in the long-term, in our countries will survive if it comes to be associated with leadership, will not survive if democracy plus media brings to us more and more followship rather than leadership.”

“Much of what Germany and France have done in the rescue of Greece has also helped German and French banks, who for a long time were major creditors for Greece and Greek banks.”

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