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The UK is not going to leave the European Union. Of course not. We are inextricably wound up with Europe. In terms of culture, history and geography, we are a European nation.

I hope Britain stays in the European Union, but I don't want to decide for the British.

We need Britain not only to stay in the E.U. but to be very active in it.

We believe that from both a German and a Polish perspective, it is desirable for Great Britain to remain in the European Union.

If the U.K. wants a commercial access treaty to the European market, the British must contribute to the European budget like the Norwegians and the Swiss do. If London doesn't want that, then it must be a total exit.

It does not seem to me that the steps which would be needed to make Britain - and others - more comfortable in their relationship in the European Union are inherently so outlandish or unreasonable.

Let me be absolutely clear: I think it is defeatist to sort of say we want to leave the European Union. We're going to try and change the rules and change the way it works and change the objectives that it has in order to make it something that works for Britain.

I personally hope and wish that Britain will stay part and parcel of the European Union.

If we left the European Union, it would be a one-way ticket, not a return. So we will have time for a proper, reasoned debate. At the end of that debate you, the British people, will decide.

If the U.K. were threatening to withdraw from Europe, I would certainly want Scotland to be out of that.