"The situation in Iraq is dangerous but the regional situation is also very complicated and precarious."

"I don't believe, in the 21st century, in the balance of power system. This is a European idea of the 19th and 20th centuries."

"India has been contributing very much to the reconstruction of Afghanistan; we are strongly engaged there."

"Everybody is talking today about the economy."

"The United States is our most important ally. They helped us many times. Without the United States, the unification or German democratisation after the Nazi period would have been much more complicated, or almost impossible."

"We shouldn't discuss the world of tomorrow in terms of becoming a balance to the United States. The real issue is whether the United States will define herself as part of the U.N. system-or not."

"You must see the persons who are in charge - persons you can punish or vote for."

"We have an interest in excellent relations because we are neighbours as Europeans with Russia. We are allies with the United States in the NATO framework."

"We had to move forward after the war and see the realities."

"There are differences in the world community. But we have a common interest in a strong multilateral system."

"We will not send troops. Germany is not committed to Iraq - we will not commit ourselves with troops."

"We have every interest in seeing that the military use of nuclear power will be contained."

"There is an ongoing debate about the reform of the U.N. system."

"What will we do in a globalised world? All human beings are equal, so they have the same right to have the same lifestyle-the same social security, jobs, education."

"The participation in European elections was always not very exciting. People are very interested in European issues, but they don't see the person who is representing Europe."

"A transitional government is the beginning of a transfer of sovereignty. It's a question of Iraqi security and moving forward with the political process."

"We are ready to train new Iraqi forces outside Iraq. We did it in Abu Dhabi."