--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: After 30 years in Brussels, I can tell…" description: "\"After 30 years in Brussels, I can tell you: The relationship between the Commission and the Parliament has probably never been as good as it is now.\" —..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a8/jean-claude-juncker-3277_brussels_after-30-years-in-brussels-i-can-tell-yo_2857036.png" --- # After 30 years in Brussels, I can tell you: The… ![“After 30 years in Brussels, I can tell you: The relationship between the Commission and the Parliament has probably never been as good as it is now.” quote by Jean-Claude Juncker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a8/jean-claude-juncker-3277_brussels_after-30-years-in-brussels-i-can-tell-yo_2857036.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a8/jean-claude-juncker-3277_brussels_after-30-years-in-brussels-i-can-tell-yo_2857036.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a8/jean-claude-juncker-3277_brussels_after-30-years-in-brussels-i-can-tell-yo_2857036.png) > “After 30 years in Brussels, I can tell you: The relationship between the Commission and the Parliament has probably never been as good as it is now.” [Jean-Claude Juncker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-claude-juncker/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The EU’s executive and legislative branches now enjoy unusually strong cooperation and mutual respect. **In simple terms:** EU institutions work well together now. Key Takeaway Leverage this cooperation for policy progress. Themes politics cooperation EU governance Mood optimistic confident Type political analytical When to use this quote - legislative negotiations - policy drafting - inter‑institutional meetings Key Concepts institutional synergy policy making legislative-executive relations Questions to Reflect On - How can this cooperation be sustained? - What risks could disrupt it? A Different Perspective Challenges may arise from differing national interests. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [30 Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/30-years/) [Brussels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brussels/) [Brussels Tell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brussels-tell-3834315/) [Commission Parliament](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commission-parliament-3834313/) [Europe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/europe/) [I can](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-can/) [Parliament](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parliament/) [Parliament Probably](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parliament-probably-3834316/) [Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years/) [Years Brussels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years-brussels-3834314/) ## Related quotes > [Here in Brussels, we did everything to accommodate David Cameron's concerns. My collaborators and I personally spent countless days and nights negotiating an agreement…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-claude-juncker/here-in-brussels-we-did-everything-to-accommodate-david-cameron-s/) [Jean-Claude Juncker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-claude-juncker/) > [There is a distorted perception of what goes on in Brussels. No one reports on the Commission taking a hundred initiatives from its predecessor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-claude-juncker/there-is-a-distorted-perception-of-what-goes-on-in-brussels-no-one/) [Jean-Claude Juncker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-claude-juncker/) > [Since it took up office, the Commission which I lead has pursued a clear policy: we need less interference from Brussels when it comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-claude-juncker/since-it-took-up-office-the-commission-which-i-lead-has-pursued-a/) [Jean-Claude Juncker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-claude-juncker/) > [The promise to use the money we currently send to Brussels and invest it instead on the priorities of the British people - principally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-gove/the-promise-to-use-the-money-we-currently-send-to-brussels-and-invest/) [Michael Gove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-gove/) > [Brussels and its multifarious networks provide member states not just with trading access but also a guarantee of regular encounters, negotiations, contacts, informants, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-colley/brussels-and-its-multifarious-networks-provide-member-states-not-just/) [Linda Colley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-colley/) > [Brussels sprouts are misunderstood - probably because most people don't know how to cook them properly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-english/brussels-sprouts-are-misunderstood-probably-because-most-people-don-t/) [Todd English](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/todd-english/) > [Everybody used to say going to restaurants... is like theater, there's stage sets, there's drama, there's play acting and you watch the show. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-wells/everybody-used-to-say-going-to-restaurants-is-like-theater-there-s/) [Pete Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-wells/) > [Why don't you meet Osama bin Laden, invite him to Brussels or to the White House and engage him in talks, ask him what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/why-don-t-you-meet-osama-bin-laden-invite-him-to-brussels-or-to-the/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [For many people, politics in Brussels and Strasbourg might as well be happening on another planet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/for-many-people-politics-in-brussels-and-strasbourg-might-as-well-be/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) > [As a wheelchair user, you cant move about freely. Thats the only thing that bothers me a little. When Im in the Euro Group…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-schauble/as-a-wheelchair-user-you-cant-move-about-freely-thats-the-only-thing/) [Wolfgang Schauble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-schauble/) > [The EU will face problems similar to the US: an increasing gap between the citizens and decision makers in Brussels and a perceived or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-korten/the-eu-will-face-problems-similar-to-the-us-an-increasing-gap-between/) [David Korten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-korten/) > [This going into Europe will not turn out to be the thrilling mutual exchange supposed. It is more like nine middle-aged couples with failing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-p-thompson/this-going-into-europe-will-not-turn-out-to-be-the-thrilling-mutual/) [E. P. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-p-thompson/) > [I'm scared of audiences. One show in Amsterdam I was so nervous, I escaped out the fire exit. I've thrown up a couple of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adele/i-m-scared-of-audiences-one-show-in-amsterdam-i-was-so-nervous-i/) [Adele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adele/) > [ When \[Erwin Schrödinger\] went to the Solvay conferences in Brussels, he would walk from the station to the hotel where the delegates stayed, carrying… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dirac/when-erwin-schr-dinger-went-to-the-solvay-conferences-in-brussels-he/) [Paul Dirac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dirac/) > [I like democracy. I like to be able to throw out my political leaders when they get things wrong, and we don't get to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-cameron/i-like-democracy-i-like-to-be-able-to-throw-out-my-political-leaders/) [David Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-cameron/) ## More by Jean-Claude Juncker > [ I don't think in national categories. For me it \[policy\] is about concepts and substance. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-claude-juncker/i-don-t-think-in-national-categories-for-me-it-policy-is-about/) [Jean-Claude Juncker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-claude-juncker/) > [Germany will continue to play a central - perhaps even a more important - role in the European Union. I think that we will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-claude-juncker/germany-will-continue-to-play-a-central-perhaps-even-a-more-important/) [Jean-Claude Juncker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-claude-juncker/) > [I am for it - not to make a threat, but to make clear that decisions that have been made are applicable law, even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-claude-juncker/i-am-for-it-not-to-make-a-threat-but-to-make-clear-that-decisions/) [Jean-Claude Juncker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-claude-juncker/) > [With their charm and legendary sense of humor, the British directly or indirectly paved the way for a large number of European compromises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-claude-juncker/with-their-charm-and-legendary-sense-of-humor-the-british-directly-or/) [Jean-Claude Juncker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-claude-juncker/) > [I said in my inaugural address that I am not the Council's secretary, nor am I the Parliament's lackey. That can sometimes lead to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-claude-juncker/i-said-in-my-inaugural-address-that-i-am-not-the-council-s-secretary/) [Jean-Claude Juncker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-claude-juncker/) > [I have a plan. It entails leading to a fair deal and relationship with the British. We will be reasonable, but we will also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-claude-juncker/i-have-a-plan-it-entails-leading-to-a-fair-deal-and-relationship-with/) [Jean-Claude Juncker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-claude-juncker/) > [I am in favor of the European institutions being led for the next two-and-a-half years as they have been thus far. We need stability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-claude-juncker/i-am-in-favor-of-the-european-institutions-being-led-for-the-next-two/) [Jean-Claude Juncker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-claude-juncker/) > [I was never presented with the details as far as the collective bargaining system is Greece. I am in favor of a normal system…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-claude-juncker/i-was-never-presented-with-the-details-as-far-as-the-collective/) [Jean-Claude Juncker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-claude-juncker/) > [God understands more about the financial markets than many who write about them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-claude-juncker/god-understands-more-about-the-financial-markets-than-many-who-write/) [Jean-Claude Juncker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-claude-juncker/) > [The outcome of the referendum does not affect those of my officials who have British nationality, since they work for Europe and not for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-claude-juncker/the-outcome-of-the-referendum-does-not-affect-those-of-my-officials/) [Jean-Claude Juncker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-claude-juncker/) > [I assumed office to bring the EU to a point from which there is no going back. Instead, I am having to unwind the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-claude-juncker/i-assumed-office-to-bring-the-eu-to-a-point-from-which-there-is-no/) [Jean-Claude Juncker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-claude-juncker/) > [I notice with a certain sense of regret that far too many Europeans are returning to a regional and national mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-claude-juncker/i-notice-with-a-certain-sense-of-regret-that-far-too-many-europeans/) [Jean-Claude Juncker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-claude-juncker/) > [ My father was a steel worker and Martin's \[Schulz\] grandfather was a miner in Saarland. In these occupations, there is a particular awareness of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-claude-juncker/my-father-was-a-steel-worker-and-martin-s-schulz-grandfather-was-a/) [Jean-Claude Juncker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-claude-juncker/) > [I completely agree with Helmut Kohl. I am not an advocate of the "United States of Europe," nor am I an integration fanatic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-claude-juncker/i-completely-agree-with-helmut-kohl-i-am-not-an-advocate-of-the/) [Jean-Claude Juncker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-claude-juncker/) > [How will the exit affect thousands of British pensioners living in Portugal or Spain who will lose their access to the welfare and health…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-claude-juncker/how-will-the-exit-affect-thousands-of-british-pensioners-living-in/) [Jean-Claude Juncker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-claude-juncker/) [Explore all 135 Jean-Claude Juncker quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-claude-juncker/) ## More Brussels quotes > [I like democracy. I like to be able to throw out my political leaders when they get things wrong, and we don't get to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-cameron/i-like-democracy-i-like-to-be-able-to-throw-out-my-political-leaders/) [David Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-cameron/) > [ When \[Erwin Schrödinger\] went to the Solvay conferences in Brussels, he would walk from the station to the hotel where the delegates stayed, carrying… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dirac/when-erwin-schr-dinger-went-to-the-solvay-conferences-in-brussels-he/) [Paul Dirac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dirac/) > [I'm scared of audiences. One show in Amsterdam I was so nervous, I escaped out the fire exit. I've thrown up a couple of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adele/i-m-scared-of-audiences-one-show-in-amsterdam-i-was-so-nervous-i/) [Adele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adele/) > [This going into Europe will not turn out to be the thrilling mutual exchange supposed. It is more like nine middle-aged couples with failing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-p-thompson/this-going-into-europe-will-not-turn-out-to-be-the-thrilling-mutual/) [E. P. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-p-thompson/) > [The EU will face problems similar to the US: an increasing gap between the citizens and decision makers in Brussels and a perceived or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-korten/the-eu-will-face-problems-similar-to-the-us-an-increasing-gap-between/) [David Korten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-korten/) > [As a wheelchair user, you cant move about freely. Thats the only thing that bothers me a little. When Im in the Euro Group…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-schauble/as-a-wheelchair-user-you-cant-move-about-freely-thats-the-only-thing/) [Wolfgang Schauble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-schauble/) > [For many people, politics in Brussels and Strasbourg might as well be happening on another planet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/for-many-people-politics-in-brussels-and-strasbourg-might-as-well-be/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) > [Why don't you meet Osama bin Laden, invite him to Brussels or to the White House and engage him in talks, ask him what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/why-don-t-you-meet-osama-bin-laden-invite-him-to-brussels-or-to-the/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [Everybody used to say going to restaurants... is like theater, there's stage sets, there's drama, there's play acting and you watch the show. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-wells/everybody-used-to-say-going-to-restaurants-is-like-theater-there-s/) [Pete Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-wells/) > [Brussels sprouts are misunderstood - probably because most people don't know how to cook them properly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-english/brussels-sprouts-are-misunderstood-probably-because-most-people-don-t/) [Todd English](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/todd-english/) > [Brussels and its multifarious networks provide member states not just with trading access but also a guarantee of regular encounters, negotiations, contacts, informants, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-colley/brussels-and-its-multifarious-networks-provide-member-states-not-just/) [Linda Colley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-colley/) > [The promise to use the money we currently send to Brussels and invest it instead on the priorities of the British people - principally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-gove/the-promise-to-use-the-money-we-currently-send-to-brussels-and-invest/) [Michael Gove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-gove/) > [When my family did shy away from Indian food, we'd eat a lot of Chinese. We'd use the wok a lot. I never had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/parvesh-cheena/when-my-family-did-shy-away-from-indian-food-we-d-eat-a-lot-of/) [Parvesh Cheena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/parvesh-cheena/) > [It's not just other countries in Europe having a say over what we do. It's unelected bureaucrats in Brussels on sort of six-figure, huge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-cameron/it-s-not-just-other-countries-in-europe-having-a-say-over-what-we-do/) [David Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-cameron/) > [When I look at the chaotic and volatile debate right now, both in Germany and around the world, my impression and concern is that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peer-steinbruck/when-i-look-at-the-chaotic-and-volatile-debate-right-now-both-in/) [Peer Steinbruck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peer-steinbruck/) [Browse all 93 Brussels quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brussels/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "After 30 years in Brussels, I can tell you: The relationship between the Commission and the Parliament has probably never been as good as it is now.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jean-Claude Juncker" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-claude-juncker/after-30-years-in-brussels-i-can-tell-you-the-relationship-between/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Brussels" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-claude-juncker/after-30-years-in-brussels-i-can-tell-you-the-relationship-between/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a8/jean-claude-juncker-3277_brussels_after-30-years-in-brussels-i-can-tell-yo_2857036.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a8/jean-claude-juncker-3277_brussels_after-30-years-in-brussels-i-can-tell-yo_2857036.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a8/jean-claude-juncker-3277_brussels_after-30-years-in-brussels-i-can-tell-yo_2857036.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“After 30 years in Brussels, I can tell you: The relationship between the Commission and the Parliament has…” — Jean-Claude Juncker", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Jean-Claude Juncker", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-claude-juncker/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "After 30 years in Brussels, I...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-claude-juncker/after-30-years-in-brussels-i-can-tell-you-the-relationship-between/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-claude-juncker/after-30-years-in-brussels-i-can-tell-you-the-relationship-between/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```