Jean-Claude Juncker Europe Quotations

Without the Turkey agreement, tens of thousands of refugees would still be stuck in Greece. The Commission presented proposals for securing Europe's external borders early on, but they languished in the Council for months. As you can see, the Commission isn't asleep. Oftentimes it has to wake up the others.

It is always said that Europe is a project of the elite. That's incorrect.

I completely agree with Helmut Kohl. I am not an advocate of the "United States of Europe," nor am I an integration fanatic.

I have always considered it to be a minor miracle that after the war, people in Europe's border regions were able to forget everything and, in accordance with the slogan "Never Again War," develop a program that still works today.

The problem is: When two governments or institutions in Europe hold differing opinions, it is immediately a crisis.

I'm always quite amazed that people in Europe become unnerved when two institutions or two people have different views.

Europe is a democracy and differences of opinion are part of it.

The good thing about the European Union is that the joint project ultimately benefits all Member States and not just a few.

The will of the British people must now be put into effect as quickly as possible. Under Article 50 of the EU Treaty the UK must leave the European Union within two years at the latest.

I would describe that [friendship with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras] as a utilitarian friendship. At the time, his country was facing the prospect of leaving the euro zone and many Greeks felt abandoned by Europe. In such a situation, it seemed appropriate to me to present myself as a friend to Greece. It had to do with the country's dignity.

Anyone who believes that the eternal question of war and peace in Europe is no longer there risks being deeply mistaken.

I am chilled by the realization of how similar circumstances in Europe in 2013 are to those of 100 years ago.

We must go back to teach Europeans to love Europe.

In Europe, even more so than in national politics, we have to follow the principle laid down by Martin Luther: Use language that the people will understand, but don't just tell them what they want to hear.

When it becomes serious, you have to lie.

A united Europe is our Continent's only chance to avoid falling off the world's radar. The heads of government of Germany, France and the United Kingdom also know that their voice is only heard internationally because they speak through the megaphone of the European Union.

Article 50 governs the exit from the European Union and here there can also be no renegotiation.