Comments by policymakers at Cannes G20

FRENCH PRESIDENT NICOLAS SARKOZY

On talks with Obama on a possible global transaction tax: "I think we have a common analysis on how to have the world of finance contribute to resolving today's crisis."

U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA

"The most important aspect of our task over the next two days is to resolve the financial crisis here in Europe.

"I agree with President Sarkozy that the EU has made some important steps toward a comprehensive solution, and that would not have happened without Nicolas' leadership.

"But here at the G20 we're going to have to flesh out more of the details about how the plan will be fully and decisively implemented. And we also discussed the situation in Greece and how we can work to resolve that situation as well. The United States will continue to be a partner with the Europeans to resolve these challenges."

WHITE HOUSE DEPUTY NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER BEN RHODES:

"The IMF still has a substantial amount of resources to deal with a range of challenges in Europe and around the world ... There are no plans for the United States to provide additional resources ... to the IMF ... We can't speak to what other countries may do."

ANDREW MACDOUGALL, CHIEF SPOKESMAN FOR CANADIAN PRIME

MINISTER STEPHEN HARPER:

"Canada does not support the tax (on financial transactions). We have an aid program for (the least developed) nations and we do not need another tax. This is not supported by Canada."

BRITISH PRIME MINISTER DAVID CAMERON

"When the world is in crisis, it's right that you consider boosting the IMF.

"No government has ever lost money by lending money to the IMF. What we wouldn't support is the IMF investing directly in some euro bailout fund. That wouldn't be right and we won't back it."

RUSSIAN PRESIDENT DMITRY MEDVEDEV

"Europe should aid itself, the European Union has everything for that today -- the political authority, the financial resources and the backing of many countries.

"Countries with excessive debt burdens should immediately start fiscal consolidation. Countries in the eurozone that are viewed by the markets as safe havens should support demand and thus facilitate the situation for their weaker partners.

"The reward system of shareholders and managers of financial institution should be changed step by step. Otherwise the 'Occupy Wall street' slogan will become fashionable in all developed countries. And thus instead of dealing with economic growth, everyone will be busy with what has been created."

"I think the long-anticipated entry of Russia into the WTO would be a good contribution to our common cause. It is fruitful to both us and our partners."

SOUTH AFRICAN FINANCE MINISTER PRAVIN GORDHAN

Asked whether South Africa and other BRICS nations will take exposure to the euro zone crisis only after issue has been sorted out: "Yes, that's the idea."

TURKISH PRIME MINISTER TAYYIP ERDOGAN

"I welcome decisions taken by EU leaders taken at the recent summit but it is very important to implement them as soon as possible to remove the risks we are faced with.

"We still have serious risks and challenges we need to overcome for the future of the global economy, especially in Europe but also elsewhere with high public debt, unemployment and global imbalances. It is important all G20 countries cooperate even more than before.

"The greatest vulnerability threatening the economy is the sustainability of public debt in developed economies.

"It is very important developed countries have concrete and well planned financial policies and that they are implemented. We have seen the importance of that in context of Europe because there have been inconsistent statements made to the public and some of the budgets did not reflect the realities."

JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER YOSHIHIKO NODA

"I expect Europe to steadily implement measures agreed at the European Union summit meeting in order to help stabilize financial systems in Europe."

CHINESE PRESIDENT HU JINTAO

After BRICS meeting: "We have exchanged views on the global economic situation at the BRICS leaders meeting, we discussed the European debt crisis. Now we could exchange opinions on bilateral issues."

On euro zone crisis package: "The existing plan ... demonstrates the EU's determination to solve the European debt problem and we hope that the implementation of the plan will address current difficulties in Europe and boost European economic development.

"Europe is the world's largest economy, and there won't be global economic recovery without European economic recovery.

"We hope Europe will be fine."

KREMLIN ECONOMIC AIDE ARKADY DVORKOVICH

After talks between BRICS countries: "BRICS leaders agreed to maintain close contacts between finance ministers and sherpas to work out a common position of BRICS member states on the eurozone.

"BRICS leaders agreed to carry out regular consultations in IMF and other formats, the proposition was backed by all BRICS leaders."

GREEK FINANCE MINISTER EVANGELOS VENIZELOS

In a statement in Athens, after returning from Cannes: "Greece's position within the euro area is a historic conquest of the country that cannot be put in doubt. This achievement by the Greek people cannot depend on a referendum."

"If we want to protect the country we must, under conditions of national unity and political seriousness and consensus, implement without any delay the decision of October 26... , as soon as possible."

EURO GROUP PRESIDENT JEAN-CLAUDE JUNCKER

On the prospect of a Greek exit from euro zone, to Germany's ZDF television: "We are working on the subject of how to ensure there is not a disaster for the people in Germany, Luxembourg, the euro zone. We are absolutely prepared for the situation. We are absolutely prepared for the situation which I describe and which I want to be avoided.

"Everything must be done to try to make sure one member of the 17-member group does not fade away but if this were the wish of the Greeks -- and I think that would be wrong -- then we cannot force the Greeks toward their fortune.

"This is not my favored scenario. I would like Greece to stay on board but Greece must fulfill its obligations."

FRANCE'S EUROPE MINISTER JEAN LEONETTI

To RTL radio: "Greece is something we can get over, something we can live without."

(Reporting by Laura MacInnis, Alister Bull, Tetsushi Kajimoto, Gui Qing Koh, Luke Baker, Alexei Anishchuk and Catherine Bremer; Editing by Ruth Pitchford)