In late 1989, Brandt became one of the first leftwing leaders in West Germany to publicly favor a quick reunification of Germany, instead of some sort of two-state federation or other kind of interim arrangement. Brandt's public statement "Now grows together what belongs together," was widely quoted in those days.

anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall (T)

BRANDT, Willy (S, DE)

COT, Jean-Pierre (PSE, FR)

Memoclip: Press conference by Willy BRANDT, former Chancellor of Germany, after the fall of the Berlin wall

Title: Press conference by Willy BRANDT, former Chancellor of Germany, after the fall of the Berlin wall (Brussels, 15/11/1989)

Arrival of Willy BRANDT, former Chancellor of Germany, and Jean-Pierre COT, Chairman of the socialist group (3 shots)

SOUNDBITE (French), Jean-Pierre COT, MEP, FR, Chairman of the socialist group , "The Socialist Group who invited him to participate in our discussion this afternoon on the issues of Eastern Europe, did not know when we launched the invitation, that news would also foresee it. We are very grateful to Willy Brandt for having accepted the invitation and tell us about his experience and his vision. This is a major contribution not only to the socialist group but for the whole Parliament that his presence here with us today."

SOUNDBITE (German), Willy BRANDT, former Chancellor of Germany, "What is happening on German soil, but also what is happening in the countries between Germany and Russia and not least what is going on in the Soviet Union, is about the growing together of parts of Europe. It will take time, but that's what it is about."

SOUNDBITE (German), Willy BRANDT, former Chancellor of Germany, "What does it mean that people are standing up, without violence, with easiness but not without tears and a lot of joy that goes up to loud happiness, especially when families come together which had been separated over years. Also the security forces are captured by this atmosphere and become ingeniously, what in Germany can be called as unusual and what means that this is new."

SOUNDBITE (German), Willy BRANDT, former Chancellor of Germany, "I heard today that those who have the responsibility right now, saying now Yes the article 1 of the Constitution must be taken out, that is this article that grants for the party of Marx and Lenin to play the leading role in the State. That is now out and that is an important change, furthermore to the breakthrough to real information access, furthermore to the beginning of an excessive use of the new freedom of movement, the right to travel."

SOUNDBITE (German), Willy BRANDT, former Chancellor of Germany, "I think that the responsible persons in the BRD (Bundesrepublik Deutschland) know that what is in up to them to handle in regards to the East part, is to reach the achievable amount of unity and to solve a number of practical questions, this cannot be only a task for the BRD, but it must be embedded into the European politics, to accompany this process in the best way and I have found support in this regard here. And there is no doubt that this is the reasonable way to act."