Europe started out with six countries; three small countries and three large countries. Jean-Pierre Raffarin More Quotes by Jean-Pierre Raffarin More Quotes From Jean-Pierre Raffarin 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. Jean-Pierre Raffarin walldifferentcountry The United States, for a French citizen, is a friend, an ally, to whom we owe, along with most Europeans, our freedom. Jean-Pierre Raffarin alliesunited-statescitizens I am a believer, but I affirm that in public buildings the law of the Republic overrides religious rules. Jean-Pierre Raffarin republicreligiouslaw It's important to show that, while authorizing the demonstrations and promoting diversity of opinion, the Republic can't allow itself to be undermined from within. Jean-Pierre Raffarin republicdiversityimportant France has a very important relationship with Germany. But that does not mean that we agree about everything or that two of our universities or companies are not going to compete. Jean-Pierre Raffarin relationshiptwomean We shall say clearly that any symbol conspicuously displaying religious affiliation in school is prohibited. Jean-Pierre Raffarin affiliationreligiousschool When I see the cultural diversity that exists today, I feel that we must defend it, and we need Europe, because otherwise we are going to live in a society with a single model, the Anglo-American model. Jean-Pierre Raffarin diversitylive-for-todayeurope 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. Jean-Pierre Raffarin spacerelationshipcountry We believe that the European Union is facing a truly historic choice. Jean-Pierre Raffarin choiceseuropebelieve I was a Member of the European Parliament for a period of time and I saw a lot of European laws and treaties. Jean-Pierre Raffarin parliamentsawslaw 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. Jean-Pierre Raffarin issuesdimensionsthinking I believe that transatlantic relations are very important and that President Bush's visit to Brussels, in a few days, will have a major impact on that. Jean-Pierre Raffarin impactimportantbelieve We would like UN resolutions to be enforced, including on Iraq. Jean-Pierre Raffarin includingresolutioniraq But the Republic has its rules and it must not tolerate any abuse of them. Jean-Pierre Raffarin republicabuseindia The Europe we are in the process of building is the Europe of the 21st century; it's not the Europe of the 20th century. Jean-Pierre Raffarin buildingcenturyeurope I tell fundamentalists that there is no question of them attacking our Republic's foundations. Jean-Pierre Raffarin republicattackingfoundation Prohibiting a visible religious sign, which isn't a manifestation of militancy, would look like a fight against religions. Jean-Pierre Raffarin fightingreligiouslooks Obviously, there is diversity, but Europe is a union of diversity. Jean-Pierre Raffarin unionsdiversityeurope It's true that the question of Iraq divided Europe. Jean-Pierre Raffarin iraqdividedeurope The Republic is open and tolerant but also knows how and when to be firm and make its values respected. Jean-Pierre Raffarin firmrepublicindia
