Joschka Fischer Quotes & Sayings

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

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

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. — Joschka Fischer

The EU is on the brink of becoming a European Federation by the year 2010 ... I feel sure that Britain will fall in line. — Joschka Fischer

Taking stock of 'Operation Iraqi Freedom' a decade later, the Financial Times concluded that the US won the war, Iran won the peace, and Turkey won the contracts. I can only agree. — Joschka Fischer

We had to move forward after the war and see the realities. — Joschka Fischer

Transforming the European Union into a single State with one army, one constitution and one foreign policy is the critical challenge of the age — Joschka Fischer

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

Solutions must be based on compromises. — Joschka Fischer

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. — Joschka Fischer

I never use the concept, multipolar. I use multilateral. Because we have only one global power: whether you like it or not, this is the United States. — Joschka Fischer

An enlarged Union based on Nice is not in the interest of any Member State ... This is not a threat. This is a messenger delivering news. — Joschka Fischer

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. — Joschka Fischer

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

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. — Joschka Fischer

We were in opposition to the decision to go to war. But after the war happened, it was clear that you could not sit and look-there would be a breeding ground for terrorism or a new collapsed or failed state named Iraq! — Joschka Fischer

There is an ongoing debate about the reform of the U.N. system. — Joschka Fischer

Germany is to be contained from outside and heterogenized from the inside by influx, 'diluted' so to speak. — Joschka Fischer

The situation in Iraq is dangerous but the regional situation is also very complicated and precarious. — Joschka Fischer

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

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. — Joschka Fischer

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. — Joschka Fischer

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

Let's forget the reunification, let's just shut up and don't talk about that topic for the next 20 years. — Joschka Fischer

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. — Joschka Fischer

Everybody is talking today about the economy. — Joschka Fischer

We already have a federation. The 11, soon to be 12, member States adopting the euro have already given up part of their sovereignty, monetary sovereignty, and formed a monetary union, and that is the first step towards a federation. — Joschka Fischer