Frans Timmermans

For me, arguably, the European Parliament is the best-functioning European institution. They are extremely good at law-making; they're extremely good at finding compromise under pressure. ”

The Netherlands believes in a vigorous Europe with a commission that is independent and robust. ”

Public support will dwindle if the public thinks that free movement means undermining of social security systems... we need to get that right. ”

If the E.U. is to survive... it is based on the fact that for every community that belongs in Europe, there is a place in Europe. ”

While, of course, you cannot discriminate between nationals of member states, access to the labour market does not mean automatic access to social security systems. ”

My parents married in 1959 and came to Amsterdam on honeymoon. That was a huge thing, event, for them. Now my children fly off for the weekend to Riga, Prague, or Barcelona. ”

If children knew what the effects are of using single-use plastic straws for drinking sodas or whatever, they might reconsider and use paper straws or no straws at all. ”

Is it not in human nature sometimes, based on the facts that you now know, to reconsider? ”

This is the game of those who deny climate change or who deny the need for sustainability. They say, 'They are going to take everything away from us. They are going to take our cars away from us. They are going to take our steaks from us. They are going to take all the things that make life nice away from us. So let's not go there.' ”

Britain can get far better results if it engages with Europe than standing on the sidelines and saying that Europe should change. ”