ByQuotes

Jose Manuel Barroso Quotes

Powerful Jose Manuel Barroso for Daily Growth

About Jose Manuel Barroso

José Manuel Durão Barroso (born March 23, 1956) is a Portuguese politician who has made significant contributions to European politics as a statesman, lawyer, and academic. Born in Montijo, Portugal, he studied law at the University of Lisbon and went on to earn a Ph.D. from the London School of Economics. Barroso began his political career in the Social Democratic Party (PSD), serving as Secretary-General from 1989 to 1995. In 1999, he was appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs in the government of Prime Minister António Guterres. His tenure was marked by Portugal's accession to the European Union and the start of the process that led to the creation of the Lisbon Treaty. In 2004, Barroso was nominated as the President of the European Commission, a role he held for two terms until 2014. During his tenure, he steered Europe through the global financial crisis and emphasized issues such as climate change, energy policy, and digital agenda development. Barroso is known for his pragmatic and consensus-building approach to politics. He is often quoted as saying, "The European Union is not a state. It is a unique political construction based on the rule of law." This quote reflects his belief in the importance of respecting the rule of law in the EU's decision-making processes. Post-Commission, Barroso has continued to engage with global affairs as a Distinguished Statesman at the Brookings Institution and a professor at the Hertie School in Berlin. He remains an influential voice in European politics, advocating for a stronger, more united Europe.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The Union is not a confederation; it's an ever closer union."

The quote emphasizes the principle of the European Union (EU) being an "ever closer union," suggesting a gradual deepening of integration between its member states, rather than a loose confederation or association. This means that over time, the EU aims to increase political, economic, and social cooperation among its members, ultimately leading to greater unity. This goal is reflected in the EU's founding principles and policies such as the four freedoms (free movement of goods, capital, services, and people) and the establishment of a common currency (the euro).

"The European Union is not perfect but it works for the people of Europe."

This quote by Jose Manuel Barroso suggests that despite its imperfections, the European Union (EU) effectively serves the interests of its citizens. It implies that while the EU may have weaknesses or issues, overall, it contributes positively to the welfare and well-being of the people across Europe. This perspective underscores the importance of recognizing progress and improvement, even in complex political and economic systems like the EU, and working towards continuous betterment for its citizens.

"Global challenges require global solutions and these can only be found within a strengthened multilateral system."

This quote emphasizes that the complex, worldwide issues we face today, such as climate change, pandemics, and economic inequality, cannot be solved by one country acting alone. Instead, it calls for collective action on a global scale. The strengthened multilateral system refers to international cooperation among nations working together through established institutions (like the United Nations) to find shared solutions and address these global challenges effectively. In essence, Barroso is advocating for unity and collaboration in the face of common threats to ensure a more peaceful, equitable, and sustainable world.

"We live in a time when we have to take decisions that affect our future, sometimes taking risks because not to decide is also a decision."

This quote emphasizes the importance of making decisions, even if they involve some level of risk, because indecision can also have significant consequences for the future. It suggests that in the face of uncertainty and change, it's crucial to take calculated risks and make proactive choices rather than remaining stagnant or passive.

"The European Union is not a superstate but an alliance of states, each with its own identity and history."

This quote by José Manuel Barroso highlights the federal nature of the European Union (EU), emphasizing that it is a collaborative entity comprised of independent sovereign nations, rather than a single, unified superstate. Each member state retains its unique cultural identity, historical background, and national sovereignty, while participating in a cooperative union aimed at fostering economic growth, political stability, and shared values within the region.

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

More, Other, Britain, Norway

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

Fact, Very, Advanced, Norway

Internal protectionism in Europe would be deadly, really a disaster for European economies.

- Jose Manuel Barroso

Economies, Internal, Would, Deadly

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

Destiny, Financial, Count, Prospect

In the age of globalisation, pooled sovereignty means more power, not less.

- Jose Manuel Barroso

Power, More, Means, Sovereignty

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

New, Need, Like, Organisation

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

Say, Scores, Important Thing, Goals

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

- Jose Manuel Barroso

Right, Impacted, Governments, Negatively

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

Need, Internal, Including, Supporting

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

Sometimes, Very, Compare, Relations

Growth based on debt is unsustainable, artificial.

- Jose Manuel Barroso

Growth, Based, Artificial, Unsustainable

There is no stability without solidarity and no solidarity without stability.

- Jose Manuel Barroso

Solidarity, Without, Stability

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

Better, Crisis, See, Extremist

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

Bad, More, Tendency, Defensive

I have full confidence in the IMF. It is a very strong international institution.

- Jose Manuel Barroso

Strong, Very, Institution, International

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

- Jose Manuel Barroso

Believe, Will, Britain, International

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

- Jose Manuel Barroso

More, European Union, Most, Conformity

Usually I don't comment on comments of others.

- Jose Manuel Barroso

Others, Comments, Comment

What people call serendipity sometimes is just having your eyes open.

- Jose Manuel Barroso

Sometimes, Call, Having, Open

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

Country, Study, Almost, One Country

The Eurogroup decisions are always taken unanimously.

- Jose Manuel Barroso

Decisions, Always, Taken, Unanimously

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

Die, Political Leaders, Experienced

Financial transaction tax raises problems of competition.

- Jose Manuel Barroso

Competition, Financial, Tax, Raises

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

New, Apply, Like, European Union

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

- Jose Manuel Barroso

Treated, Area, Euro, European Union

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

Area, Euro, IMF, European Union

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

- Jose Manuel Barroso

Future, Important, Investor, Ireland

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

- Jose Manuel Barroso

People, University, Several, Professors

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

- Jose Manuel Barroso

Market, Same, Effective, Economies

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

Think, Deal, Complexity, Variety

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.