Jose Manuel Barroso Quotes

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

I very often compare relations between states to relations with people. Sometimes we are nicer to those we don't know well, who are not our friends, than we are to our friends, because with our friends we don't need to be nice all the time.

Decisions taken by the most democratic institutions in the world are very often wrong.

You have to understand that to have a revolution when you are 18 years old is completely different from normal political leaders who were born in a democracy and will die in a democracy and never to have experienced that change. I have seen that change.

The dynamic of globalisation in financial and economic terms, but also in geopolitical terms, confronts Europeans with a stark choice: live together, share a common destiny and count in the world; or face the prospect of disunity and decline.

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

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

At least in Europe, we consider the right to privacy a fundamental right, and it is a very serious matter.

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.

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.

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'll put it frankly - Britain has more influence in China than Norway or Switzerland, with all respect for the other countries.

Norway or Switzerland are two marvelous countries, I very much admire, the most advanced countries in the world in fact with great qualities of life.

I believe that Europe without Britain at the heart will be less reform-driven, less open, less international Europe.

I don't know why my son was born conservative.

Financial transaction tax raises problems of competition.

I think diversity can also be a resource, an asset, especially in a world that is becoming globalized, to deal with difference, to deal with variety, to deal with complexity.

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

Growth based on debt is unsustainable, artificial.

Smart, sustainable, inclusive growth is the key to job-creation and the future prosperity of Europe.

I am a very committed European.

Usually I don't comment on comments of others.

Governments are not always right.

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

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