Quotes from Frans Timmermans

Nationalism is like alcoholism: a short period of exaltation followed by a long period of headaches.

Public support will dwindle if the public thinks that free movement means undermining of social security systems... we need to get that right.

I'm from Limburg, near the German border.

If there's no future for Jews in Europe, there's no future for Europe.

The argument that won the Brexit campaign is the one that said take back control... which is another way of saying we want to control our destinies again. This is an existential issue for the whole of Europe, not just for the U.K., because this sentiment is not limited to the United Kingdom.

The Treaty of Lisbon gave the European parliament a stronger role as co-legislator and the European Council its own president. Furthermore, the treaty introduced checks on subsidiarity - the concept that decisions should be taken as close as possible to the citizens - in an effort to cut back on unnecessary rules and regulations.

It is a duty for any government to uphold the rule of law, and this sometimes requires the proportionate use of force.

I will do everything I can... to make sure that Poland sticks to a development that fosters the rule of law, democracy.

If Europe does not understand that our sister continent, Africa, a stone's throw away, is going to face a demographic explosion, if there is no real economic and political restructuring, if we do not understand we have a collective responsibility for Africa, there is not a fence high enough to stop people coming to Europe.

The European Union is not unbreakable; something that is breakable is extremely valuable.

If the law does not give you what you want, you can oppose the law, you can work to change the law, but you cannot ignore the law. So it is fundamental that the constitutions of every one of our member states are upheld and respected.

Respect for the rule of law is not optional; it's fundamental.

Whether they are Jewish, Muslim, Christian, or atheist, everybody has a place in this society.

The Netherlands believes in a vigorous Europe with a commission that is independent and robust.

If you believe that through putting the judiciary under political control you can make it a better judiciary, you are wrong, and you are violating your own obligations under European treaties.

The U.K. is leaving the E.U. but not Europe.