The Netherlands believes in a vigorous Europe with a commission that is independent and robust. Frans Timmermans More Quotes by Frans Timmermans More Quotes From Frans Timmermans One of the principles upon which the E.U. is built is the separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary. Frans Timmermans separationindependenceprinciples If children knew what the effects are of using single-use plastic straws for drinking sodas or whatever, they might reconsider and use paper straws or no straws at all. Frans Timmermans whateverplasticpaperchildren This is the game of those who deny climate change or who deny the need for sustainability. They say, 'They are going to take everything away from us. They are going to take our cars away from us. They are going to take our steaks from us. They are going to take all the things that make life nice away from us. So let's not go there.' Frans Timmermans gameclimate-changechangelife It is a duty for any government to uphold the rule of law, and this sometimes requires the proportionate use of force. Frans Timmermans dutygovernmentlawsometimes 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. Frans Timmermans brexitcontrolsayingway If nationalism makes us poor, weak, and morally insecure, how can it claim to be patriotic? I maintain that nationalists are unpatriotic. Frans Timmermans hownationalismpoorweak If Europe does not understand that our sister continent, Africa, a stone's throw away, is going to face a demographic explosion, if there is no real economic and political restructuring, if we do not understand we have a collective responsibility for Africa, there is not a fence high enough to stop people coming to Europe. Frans Timmermans facesisterresponsibilitypeople The German car industry has a clear vision of the necessity of stability in the continent that goes beyond selling cars. For Germany, the economy is an instrument in a much wider issue of stability in continental Europe and overcoming the mistakes of the past. Frans Timmermans mistakescarvisionpast Is it not in human nature sometimes, based on the facts that you now know, to reconsider? Frans Timmermans younaturesometimesfacts We need to be able to answer not yesterday's challenges but to tomorrow's challenges. Frans Timmermans needtomorrowchallengesyesterday Being part of the E.U. in Poland means that for the first time in a millennium, nobody disputes Poland's borders, and it brought a level of freedom that Poland has never known before. Frans Timmermans nobodyneverfreedomtime 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. Frans Timmermans goodyourelationshiphistory For me, arguably, the European Parliament is the best-functioning European institution. They are extremely good at law-making; they're extremely good at finding compromise under pressure. Frans Timmermans findinggoodmepressure Europeans distrust a Europe that overpromises and underdelivers. Frans Timmermans europeansdistrusteurope The Treaty of Lisbon gave the European parliament a stronger role as co-legislator and the European Council its own president. Furthermore, the treaty introduced checks on subsidiarity - the concept that decisions should be taken as close as possible to the citizens - in an effort to cut back on unnecessary rules and regulations. Frans Timmermans rulesbackstrongereffort The U.K. is leaving the E.U. but not Europe. Frans Timmermans leavingeurope For all its shortcomings, European co-operation and integration has created an understanding of shared destiny. We no longer point guns at each other; we fight it out at a conference table. And we will continue to do so when the U.K. is no longer a member state but, I hope, still a friend. Frans Timmermans friendfightdestinyhope 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. Frans Timmermans neverchallengestimeworld
