A jolt is necessary. Europe must reaffirm it values of freedom, solidarity, peace. The EU must be understood and controlled by its citizens. I will do everything to secure profound change rather than decline.

Everyone must understand that you can't demand solidarity when there's a problem and shirk your duties when there are solutions.

I attach the greatest importance to an amplification of the peace efforts in the Middle East. I would also like to see a greater dialogue between the U.S. and the EU.

Austerity need not be Europe's fate.

If Europe does not advance, it will fall or even be wiped out from the world map... My duty is to bring Europe out of its lethargy.

I perfectly understood President Obama's attitude throughout the French presidential campaign. He had no reason to distance himself from Nicolas Sarkozy. It's the basic solidarity that leaders who worked together owe to each other.