It's not attractive at the moment to vouch for the European idea. I still do it, because I believe nothing would be better for our continent.

Referendums have always posed a threat when it comes to EU policy, because EU policy is complicated. They're an opportunity for those from all political camps who like to oversimplify things.

The EU is an unique project that replaced war with peace, hate with solidarity. Overwhelming emotion for awarding of Nobel prize to EU

For many people, politics in Brussels and Strasbourg might as well be happening on another planet.

But if you constantly insist only on your own interpretation, it isn't long before it seems patronizing.

I'm not a populist. But I try to present complicated issues in such a way that people know where I stand.

Before we talk about further accessions, we have to consolidate the European Union internally. People are increasingly losing faith in the EU's effectiveness.

I am a man of parliament, a man of the people. I am not a representative of the executives.

A joint European army is a very far-reaching proposal and it would be difficult to implement. Such initiatives are nevertheless needed.

The problem with us EU politicians is that we approach everything with cool rationality, and then wonder why we don't win people over emotionally.

I believe that the majority of people in Europe want to demonstrate solidarity with the refugees.

You can’t work with people you hate and succeed. At least, you won’t get the optimum of what you would have obtained when you work with people you love.

I love America and I hate it. I'm torn between the two. I have two conflicting visions of America. One is a kind of dream landscape and the other is a kind of black comedy.

Be kind whenever, you can.

Blessed books—they’re a place to be alone, and no one else can come in.

Some people fake their death, I'm faking my life.

Chinks in America's egalitarian armor are not hard to find. Democracy is the fig leaf of elitism.

We believe in healthy, hearty laughter -- at the expense of the whole human race, if needs be. Needs be.

Faith looks back and draws courage; hope looks ahead, and keeps desire alive.

I mean if politics was my main motivation I would be doing politics. But I'm a filmmaker.

I can't remember a single year of my life when I haven't made a piece of theatre.