DIFFERENT VOICES

Date: 09/11/1995

“I salute the memory of a great statesman who deserves our highest admiration. May his example remain the inspiration for those who will persist on the path to everlasting peace in the Middle East. By doing so, they will pay the strongest tribute to Prime Minister Rabin's achievement. They can count on the strong and continuing support of the European Union.”

Commission President Jacques Santer in a statement following the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.

“Italy is proposing, first and foremost, a quality leap in the institutions, because the Union, by expanding to other countries, must not lose the cohesion and identity that justifies its name.”

Italian Foreign Minister Susanna Agnelli on her country's plans for next year's Intergovernmental Conference.

“It is increasingly looking as though there will not be a single European currency for anyone in the lifetime of the next (British) parliament.”

UK Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind heading off questions about whether Prime Minister John Major would rule out any prospect of the UK joining a single currency during the lifetime of the next British parliament.

“Do not forget that the single currency is on its way. There is nothing to be gained by pretending it will not happen.”

Economics Commissioner Yves-Thibault de Silguy speaking in London.

“Both we and the US bear heavy responsibilities in terms of seeking to make the world a safer place. We must both give real recognition to the clear fact that we can be more effective when we work together.''

Trade Commissioner Sir Leon Brittan speaking at an EU-US conference in Pittsburgh on global security.

“I am convinced of the need to strengthen the status of tourism within the EU. This is, however, not just a task for EU officials. To achieve this, both public and private sectors must address some practical issues.”

Tourism Commissioner Christos Papoutsis speaking at a transatlantic marketing conference in New York.