We're strongly in favor of the U.N. plan for a solution to the Cyprus conflict. Hopefully a solution can be found before the end of this summit, but we cannot and will not let it block our decisions on enlargement.

We're strongly in favor of the U.N. plan for a solution to the Cyprus conflict, ... Hopefully a solution can be found before the end of this summit, but we cannot and will not let it block our decisions on enlargement.

I am a bit skeptical, ... Protectionism will not secure jobs in the long term.

Europe should stick to an open economy, to competition and we should refuse protectionism. It will not save one single job in the long run to protect non-competitive industries,

We are not leaving Brussels without a result, and I will let it take the time it needs...If not, we will not be able to conclude the accession talks in December.

Ten years ago U.S. defence investment represented almost half of all defence expenditure in the whole alliance. Today it is 75%. This increasing economic gap may also lead to an increasing technology gap which will almost hamper the inter-operability between our forces.