Laurent Fabius Quotes

The construction of Europe is an art. It is the art of the possible.

Listen to others. Do not conduct foreign policy only according to your own ideology. Do not conduct foreign policy only with an eye on domestic politics.

The majority of decisions in Europe are done by unanimity. That's why it is important to be to have good relations with all parts.

The world cannot be governed without juggling.

One can go to war alone, but you can't build peace alone.

In Europe it is particularly important that we build good relations to everyone who holds political responsibility because Europe can only be build together.

Free nations with different histories, economies and a vast amount of stubborn pride will never achieve complete agreement, even when they desire the same objectives.

To craftsmanship we shall add statesmanship in the capitol of peace.

Here we encounter two conflicting concepts with which we must come to grips in our time: the idea of national solidarity and the idea of international cooperation.

Britain is a European power. We cannot change our geography. Our involvement in the politics of European cooperation is one of necessity. Our wealth and our security depend upon it.

It takes patience to work with allies and to bring out the best in international organizations.

Alliances do have to deal with political realities.

France will be heeded if it has a message to convey.

I'm sure they can grin and bear it for a week. After all it's for world peace.

All who wish peace ought to unite in the means which may facilitate its attainment.

Foreign policy does not mean guns and rifles, but utilizing all legitimate international means to convince others.

Americans must reconcile themselves to limited objectives and work in congress with others, for an essential part of American power is the ability to evoke support from others---an ability quite as important as the capacity to compel.

In the United Nations, the United States can almost always get its way…. The United States has the ability to make the United Nations work or not work---if it cares enough.

If you have diplomatic relations, maybe you can try to change them from within. If you don’t have diplomatic relations, change can only come from without through confrontation.

The demands of Germany may require too much sacrifice of the rights of others for them to be granted, but for the peace of the world they must be considered with the utmost seriousness, and it is difficult to escape the conclusion that sooner or later some of them will have to receive satisfaction.

Our Russian policy must not be dictated by people who have already made up their minds there is no possibility of working with the Russians and that our interests are bound to conflict and ultimately lead to war. From my point of view, this is an untenable position and can but lead to disaster.

This is what we call smart power. Using every possible tool and partner to advance peace and security. Leaving no one on the sidelines. Showing respect even for one's enemies. Trying to understand, in so far as psychologically possible, empathize with their perspective and point of view. Helping to define the problems, determine the solutions.

A president who aspires to be recognized as a global leader should not personally stake out a foreign-policy goal, commit himself eloquently to its attainment, and then yield the ground when confronted by firm opposition.

Money does not buy anyone the right to tell Israel what to do, but long-term involvement, dialogue, and care demand that we must listen.

We need sound political and economic relations with the United Kingdom, and I am very grateful to the European Union's lead negotiator, grateful to him for everything he has done. We will do our best to support him and also preserve the unity of the 27 in these matters.