DIFFERENT VOICES

Date: 14/12/1995

“The occasional problems of a partner in keeping pace should not be allowed to limit the Union's capacity to act and make progress.” Extract from a letter sent by German Chancellor Helmut Kohl and French President Jacques Chirac to the Madrid summit.

“Madrid will be remembered as the European Council where the Union will have made the final leap of thought, purpose and action in the fight against unemployment.”

Social Affairs Commissioner Pádraig Flynn speaking at an EU/Japan conference in Brussels.

“Europe is not an alternative to strengthened relations with other parts of the world, but is a bridge by which they can be achieved more easily. Strengthened ties with other parts of the world will only crowd out Britain if Britain lets this happen.”

Trade Commissioner Sir Leon Brittan speaking to an audience in the City of London.

“Seventy is an age which inspires respect. That is true for human beings. It is true for institutions. Seventy today means having been around since 1925. A young man like me cannot help being impressed.”

Jacques Santer speaking at the 70th anniversary of the Foreign Press Association in the Netherlands.

“As the mother of a son of 21 and a daughter of 19, nothing is more precious to me than that their future be a peaceful one.”

Pauline Green, leader of the Socialist Group in the European Parliament, speaking at a Socialist International meeting in Brussels.

“I would like to congratulate Belgacom, the Commission and myself that we were able to organise this conference.”

Industry Commissioner Martin Bangemann in his closing speech at the end of the 'Global 95' conference on telecommunications.

“Being an economics forecaster is one of the hardest professions of all.”

French Finance Minister Jean Arthuis.

“Anyone can make a mistake.”

Economics Commissioner Yves-Thibault de Silguy on the same subject, as he introduced the Commission's 1995-1997 economic forecasts.