Jose Manuel Barroso Quotes & Sayings

Germany is the biggest economy of Europe and we need Germany on board for the economic reforms of Europe, including, of course, the deepening of the internal market, resisting protectionism, and supporting further economic policy coordination. — Jose Manuel Barroso

At least in Europe, we consider the right to privacy a fundamental right, and it is a very serious matter. — Jose Manuel Barroso

The Eurogroup decisions are always taken unanimously. — Jose Manuel Barroso

For investor confidence, it is important that there is certainty about the future of Ireland in E.U. — Jose Manuel Barroso

I don't know why my son was born conservative. — Jose Manuel Barroso

Growth based on debt is unsustainable, artificial. — Jose Manuel Barroso

We need open, competitive, market economies ... but at the same time with effective regulation and supervision. — Jose Manuel Barroso

Even when governments take the right steps to reform, these can be negatively impacted by events outside their control. — Jose Manuel Barroso

Smart, sustainable, inclusive growth is the key to job-creation and the future prosperity of Europe. — Jose Manuel Barroso

The euro area must not be treated as an 'opt out' from the European Union. — Jose Manuel Barroso

The E.U. is founded on the Treaties which apply only to the Member States who have agreed and ratified them. — Jose Manuel Barroso

I'll put it frankly - Britain has more influence in China than Norway or Switzerland, with all respect for the other countries. — Jose Manuel Barroso

You see in times of crisis that extremist forces, populist forces, have a better ground to oversimplify things and to manipulate feelings. Feelings of fear. — Jose Manuel Barroso

You have to understand that to have a revolution when you are 18 years old is completely different from normal political leaders who were born in a democracy and will die in a democracy and never to have experienced that change. I have seen that change. — Jose Manuel Barroso

Norway or Switzerland are two marvelous countries, I very much admire, the most advanced countries in the world in fact with great qualities of life. — Jose Manuel Barroso

Let us not forget that the European Community started as a project for peace after the terrible Second World War. And today people take for granted the freedom to travel, to study, to work abroad. And the citizens of one country have almost exactly the same rights as another country. — Jose Manuel Barroso

Financial transaction tax raises problems of competition. — Jose Manuel Barroso

Norwegian legislation is more in conformity with the rules of the European Union than most member states. — Jose Manuel Barroso

There is no stability without solidarity and no solidarity without stability. — Jose Manuel Barroso

I think diversity can also be a resource, an asset, especially in a world that is becoming globalized, to deal with difference, to deal with variety, to deal with complexity. — Jose Manuel Barroso

A new state, if it wants to join the European Union, has to apply to become a member of the European Union like any state. — Jose Manuel Barroso

The dynamic of globalisation in financial and economic terms, but also in geopolitical terms, confronts Europeans with a stark choice: live together, share a common destiny and count in the world; or face the prospect of disunity and decline. — Jose Manuel Barroso

What people call serendipity sometimes is just having your eyes open. — Jose Manuel Barroso

Climate action is central for the future of our planet. — Jose Manuel Barroso

Usually I don't comment on comments of others. — Jose Manuel Barroso

Decisions taken by the most democratic institutions in the world are very often wrong. — Jose Manuel Barroso

I am a very committed European. — Jose Manuel Barroso

I say to my friends, 'Don't just listen to the vuvuzelas; look at who scores the goals.' And this is the important thing. — Jose Manuel Barroso

If we say leaders are incompetent, we are going to fuel extremist, populist, xenophobic and ultra-nationalist parties. — Jose Manuel Barroso

By the way, the European Union Member States together - even the euro area Member States together - are by far the biggest contributors to the IMF. — Jose Manuel Barroso

I believe that Europe without Britain at the heart will be less reform-driven, less open, less international Europe. — Jose Manuel Barroso

Governments are not always right. — Jose Manuel Barroso

There's a tendency in many politicians to become inward-looking, more protectionist, more nationalistic and more defensive, in the bad sense of the word. — Jose Manuel Barroso

Responding to the challenge of climate change is the ultimate political test for our generation ... Our package not only responds to this challenge, but ... is an opportunity that should create thousands of new businesses and millions of jobs in Europe. — Jose Manuel Barroso

I very often compare relations between states to relations with people. Sometimes we are nicer to those we don't know well, who are not our friends, than we are to our friends, because with our friends we don't need to be nice all the time. — Jose Manuel Barroso

My mother wanted me to be a professor, because I have several people in my family who are professors at university. — Jose Manuel Barroso

Internal protectionism in Europe would be deadly, really a disaster for European economies. — Jose Manuel Barroso

I have full confidence in the IMF. It is a very strong international institution. — Jose Manuel Barroso

In the age of globalisation, pooled sovereignty means more power, not less. — Jose Manuel Barroso

The new narrative for Europe should be about the need to have a responsible organisation, the need to be able to defend our interests and promote our values, like human rights. — Jose Manuel Barroso