Henri of Luxembourg

"Luxembourg found in the United Nations and multilateralism in general the ideal framework to flourish as an independent, sovereign state."

"Luxembourg itself, being a multiculturai and multilingual State by its history, its geographical location and the composition of its population, has often played a role of mediator between the interests of its large European neighbours and within the European Union."

"This crisis is a challenge to our conscience. It puts our committment to a hard test."

"This conflict has been going on for too long. It is essential that the parties start new direct negotiations and negotiate a sustainable peace, with the support of the Quartet. The path will be arduous, no doubt, but the objective is worth it, for the Israelis and the Palestinians and the entire region: an independent, democratic, contiguous and viable State of Palestine, living side by side with the State of Israel in peace and security."

"At every period in her history, in different circumstances, the Grand Duchy has had to reinvent herself."

"The efforts must be shared between those who welcome and those who wish to integrate. The acceptance of the basic rules of our society, of our democratic ideas, of our ways of life and our cultural plurality are a precondition which cannot be argued against."

"Long has reality belied ethnicity-oriented conceptions of the Nation. In a country where resident foreigners make up almost half of the population, and where foreigners constitute two thirds of the working population, it no longer makes any sense. Wider conceptions of the Nation have come into being."

"Each of us, within the limits of our resources, is set to be an actor, in having a lead role in one's own life, but above all by committing to others...a profound truth [is] that everyone has a role to play in society beyond their own fate."

"Faced with events of such magnitude [as the First World War], we share the same sense of helplessness, with the impression that things are imposed on us by fate or an external force. Yet it is Man who writes history."

"Recent events show us, however, that stability and peace on our continent are not permanent institutions. Quite the opposite."

"The small size of our territory, as well as our turbulent history, has rendered us deeply conscient of our dependence upon those who surround us. I believe that this understanding has had the merit of keeping us from arrogance."