"This will change Europe. I ask myself what will be the dignity of those that have said 'no' when the poor member states say at the same time that they want to make sacrifices. "I repeat, it is pathetic and tragic" - French President Jacques Chirac
"A substantial effort has been made to overcome national egoism. Those responsible for failure bear heavy responsibility.
"If the UK and others were ready to lift their rejectionist attitude we could make progress." - German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder
"Europe is not in a crisis, it is in a profound crisis . . .
"That makes me sad. Especially when all the new member states, even though poorer than the others, were prepared to give up part of their budget. I was ashamed" - Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker who holds the rotating EU presidency
"It was in our interest to reach an early compromise
"My proposal was a reaction to what I perceived as the selfishness of some member states. I asked, is it all about money, if so how much?" - Polish Prime Minister Marek Belka
"It was very hostile in the end, even bitter I don't like to see grown men bickering with each other. It's a waste of time" - The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern
"We weren't alone round the table in resisting this. I think people know exactly what the issues are here and I don't think they are fooled by the tactics and the manoeuvres" - British Prime Minister Tony Blair
"Europe is divided. It is essentially a division between whether you want a European Union that is able to cope with the future or whether you want a European Union that is trapped in the past. That is the fundamental change before us. And it is not one Europe can dodge" - British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw