"I think that the proposed constitution is one of the European legal documents with the strongest social dimension I have seen since I began following European issues."

"What's very important is that we build a space that matters in the world, one that operates according to democratic rules, and that small and large countries enjoy a good relationship."

"Let them be reassured, it has never been one of our intentions to ban religion in society, but solely to protect the national education system from any conspicuous display of religious affiliation."

"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."

"Every shot that kills ricochets."

"I want to travel. Maybe I'll end up living in Norway, making cakes."

"The noblest search is the search for excellence."

"So when you are listening to somebody, completely, attentively, then you are listening not only to the words, but also to the feeling of what is being conveyed, to the whole of it, not part of it."