Two decisions have damaged the stability both of the euro and of Europe: the premature admission of Greece to the euro area and the breach and subsequent weakening of the stability and growth pact.

If a Chancellor is trying to push something through, he must be a man of power. And if he's smart, he knows when the time is ripe. In one case - the euro - I was like a dictator... The euro is a synonym for Europe.

Germany is our fatherland; Europe is our future.

There must be no question for us that we in the European Union and the eurozone stand by Greece in solidarity.

If people do not believe in Europe and in the euro area, it must be dismantled.

We will do whatever we could do to keep Greece inside the euro and inside Europe.