Frans Timmermans

The absolute low point for me in more than 30 years of professional life was the Brexit vote. ”

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. ”

The issue of migration has played a key role in all of our member states, wherever we are. Only we, as a European Union, can convince our citizens that we do have an answer to this - not deny migration, not pretend you can solve it by building fences and walls, not pretending we can solve it by letting everybody in. ”

Whether they are Jewish, Muslim, Christian, or atheist, everybody has a place in this society. ”

In a free Europe... the system of power lies on three pillars. These are democracy, rule of law, and human rights. It's impossible to use one against the other. ”

We need a tough approach to make justice prevail and, also, because sports should not be damaged by the violence of hooligans. ”

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. ”

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. ”

I will do everything I can... to make sure that Poland sticks to a development that fosters the rule of law, democracy. ”

I think we have a political and moral duty to do everything within our power to maintain the Good Friday Agreement. ”