Victor Ponta quotes:

In the end, I think the majority of Romanian society will understand that if we respect environmental protection standards, if we have benefits in taxes, royalties, jobs, we should do what all the modern countries in Europe and beyond are doing to take advantage of their natural resources.

With the backdrop of its geostrategic location and historical ties with the Middle East, Turkey has an essential role to play for the stability, peace and social development of the region.

The image of Russian troops pouring into Ukraine and encircling military units in Crimea has been a wake-up call that will reverberate for a generation.

Reducing debt through budgetary consolidation is essential to restoring Europe's financial health.

The best thing anyone can do in life is to give opportunities to a child.

I am a committed European; a united Europe is Romania's future.

We can only restore faith in government if the state itself becomes an efficient, effective and transparent ally of the people. Bureaucratic inefficiencies, abuses of power and the misappropriation of public funds must end.

All children should have equal opportunities.

There is no breach of European rules committed by companies from Romania or on Romanian territory.

Turkey is a model of economic and social development, especially in terms of human resources and regional cooperation.

I hope Greece is going to remain in the Euro zone.

Using cold facts and figures, leaders throughout the West must become more transparent with their citizens in explaining their decisions and their choices in global markets.

All sensible politicians favor growth, just as we all favor sound public finances. Both can be achieved if we rationalize spending, invest available resources wisely, and clamp down on tax evasion.

Uncertainty is normal in the first few days of a new government.

Romania is still very much underutilizing its natural and human potential.

Romania strongly supports Turkey's E.U. accession.

In Romania, we have pledged to create a modern public service: well-educated, appropriately rewarded and above all, de-politicized.

I would like to thank my colleagues for voting a Social Democrat prime minister and to assure them I will vote a liberal president, as well.

How can I convert the enthusiasm of voters into a practical programme of action that meets their desire for economic security and greater prosperity?

Research suggests that large divisions of income and wealth weaken demand and generate economic imbalances that create instability and undermine growth.

China needs a powerful Europe, but Europe can only be strong if each and every one of its members attains rapid economic development.

I see four principles as laying the foundations for the kind of economic recovery Europe needs: fairness, efficiency, solidarity and growth.

My government has promised to comprehensively respect the independence of the judiciary.

If history judges society for how it treats those in need, so markets judge economies by the incentives they provide for private investment, the infrastructure that supports growth, and the burdens placed on job creation.

Only together do Europe and the U.S. stand a chance of keeping liberal democracy as the central doctrine for organizing world affairs.

Ever since I took to the streets when I was 17 to protest at great personal risk against the communist dictatorship, I have been a passionate democrat.