On July, 1994, Klaus HANSCH is elected as EP President at EP in Strasbourg. Announcement of the results and congratulations. Extracts from Klaus HANSCH's statement.

election of the President of the European Parliament (T)

HÄNSCH, Klaus (PSE, DE)

EPHREMIDIS, Vassilis (GUE/NGL, EL)

Election of Klaus HANSCH as EP President

Title: Election of Klaus HANSCH as EP President (19/07/1994)

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Vassilios EPHREMIDIS, Oldest Member, announcing the result, applauses, congratulations (13 shots)

SOUNDBITE (German), Klaus H&#196;NSCH, EP President, <p>"Dear Colleagues, my first words to you have to be words of thanks. I would like to thank you Mr Ephremidis, the oldest Member, and express my thanks to you. You sovereignly directs this Assembly with you own rough charm wich we have learned to appreciate. Thank you very much indeed." (Applauses)</p>

"Today I take the functions of Egon Klepsch. Unfortunatly you are no longer Member of this Parliament, that you served for many years as a Member and also as Chairman  of your political group. Your term of office as the President of the European Parliament will be as an example to me and I'd like to thank you for your work".

SOUNDBITE (German), Klaus H&#196;NSCH, EP President, <p>"Ladies and gentlemen, by electing me, by the large majority with which you elected me, by the confidence you have placed in me, you have done me the greatest honour of my life. By showing such great confidence you have also placed a heavy burden on my shoulders which I shall be able to bear only with your help. I shall expend every effort to discharge my office well and to justify your confidence."</p>

SOUNDBITE (German), Klaus H&#196;NSCH, EP President, "I should like to say to Mr Galland of the Liberal and Democratic Group tha offering alternatives is what democracy is all about." In standing for election you offered an alternative and you have enhanced the credibility of my election, and for that I am most grateful to you." (Applauses)

SOUNDBITE (German), Klaus H&#196;NSCH, EP President, "To those who did'nt vote for me, for whatever reason, I promise taht I shall be the President of the whole Parliament. Our democracy is made functional by the fact that is takes decisions by a majority, but democracy is ennobled by the way in wich it treats its minorities." (Applauses)

SOUNDBITE (German), Klaus H&#196;NSCH, EP President, "I shall endeavour to be fair to you all. What my fundamental concerns are in relation to my term of office I shall tell you tomorrow, as decreed by the agenda. As for today, let us do our duty and get down to work." (Applauses)