Within the EP, the temporary Committee on the German reunification requests a notice to the relevant committees on the 23 legislative proposals. The committee then prepares a legislative report adopted in plenary on 24 October. The package is finally adopted in November 21, 1990. The ad hoc committee draws accordingly, in its annual report, a positive assessment of the role played in the German unification process.

Final report of the temporary Committee on the German reunification: address by rapporteur Alan John DONNELLY and vote: extracts (20-21/11/1990)

Title: Final report of the temporary Committee on the German reunification: address by rapporteur Alan John DONNELLY and vote: extracts (20-21/11/1990)

SOUNDBITE (French), Alan John DONNELLY, Rapporteur of the temporary Committee on German reunification, "Mr President, the Temporary Committee on German Unification began its work on 1 March this year and we have attempted on behalf of Parliament to coordinate the work of this House in discussions with the Commission and the Council and with the authorities in the Federal Republic of Germany and the old state of the GDR. Our work was to ensure that there was an European perspective on the process of German unification."

SOUNDBITE (English), Alan John DONNELLY, Rapporteur of the temporary Committee on German reunification, "Some Members of this House doubted if a special committee like the Temporary Committee on German Unification could fulfil a useful role. But at the conclusion of our work today I think this House can be proud of the fact that members of that committee have attempted to usefully coordinate Parliament's response, both with regard to the emergency measures that were necessary in September for the German unification at the beginning of October, and in the first and second readings of the measures that are necessary for the old territory of the GDR to join the European Community."

SOUNDBITE (English), Alan John DONNELLY, Rapporteur of the temporary Committee on German reunification, "Since 1 March the Temporary Committee on German Unification has consulted extensively both within the area of the Federal Republic of Germany and in the area of the new five Lander. We have talked to representatives not only from Germany but from other governments within the European Community. We have consulted extensively with the standing committees within Parliament. We have talked to the experts in the Commission and the Council to ensure that we have a full picture of the impact of German unification on the European Community."

SOUNDBITE (English), Alan John DONNELLY, Rapporteur of the temporary Committee on German reunification, "The key job of this House today and in the vote on Wednesday is to assist the citizens of the five new Lander in Germany to become part of the European Community. We are also here to ensure that people understand that German unification is actually the first step to political union within the European Community."

SOUNDBITE (English), Alan John DONNELLY, Rapporteur of the temporary Committee on German reunification, "We also need to recognise the difficulties that occur as a result of German unification happening so quickly, Mr President, and I want to briefly comment on these. There are major social problems now in the five new Lander of Germany. We recognise that this rapid change from a command economy to a social market economy is creating major problems, for example for women who are losing the creche facilities they had and the people who are losing the subsidies on food and on housing. This Community needs to play a role in supporting those people, but we also need to urge the Government of Germany to ensure that the social consequences are minimised for those people. We need employment creation schemes in the five new Lander and we look forward to measures coming forward from Germany to ensure that happens."

SOUNDBITE (English), Alan John DONNELLY, "Finally, Mr President, can I say that in asking this House to grant the second reading to the legislation, we have proved to the other two institutions of the Community and to the Heads of Government that this Parliament can act responsibly, and that given the right responsibilities we can play an important part in bringing Europe together. I am very proud as a new Member of this House to have been given such a crucial role and I would commend the second reading to this House."

Final report of the temporary Committee on the German reunification: address by rapporteur Alan John DONNELLY and vote: extracts (20-21/11/1990)

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