text: of international instruments, including the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol thereto. 23. Mr. BRAUNEIS (Observer for the German Democratic Republic) said that his country's participation as an observer at the current session signalled a new approach to the problem of refugees and asyliam that was the result of the new departure in its social development. The German Democratic Republic was prepared to contribute, within its possibilities, to the assistance provided to refugees. It also wished to share in the experience and information that had been gathered on the solution of problems relating to foreigners and asylum-seekers. 24. There had been a formidable escalation in the problems of refugees and asylum on the territory of the German Democratic Republic, and the appointment of a government official for the affairs of foreigners, with the rank of State Secretary, reflected the importance attached by the Government of the German Democratic Republic to those issues. In a policy statement on 19 April 1990, the Prime Minister had drawn attention to the need to clarify the legal status of foreigners living in the German Democratic Republic and had stressed the importance of visualizing cultural diversity as a source of wealth. New laws on the rights of foreigners and on asylum were currently under preparation in the German Democratic Republic, which was preparing to accede to the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and to its additional Protocol, a step that would undoubtedly herald intensified co-operation between the German Democratic Republic and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. CONSIDERATION OF THE REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE TEMPORARY WORKING GROUP (agenda item 4) (A/AC.96/742) 25. The CHAIRMAN recalled the mandate given to the Temporary Working Group in paragraph 30 (i) of the report of the fortieth session of the Executive 
analysis: The text appears to be discussing international agreements and policies related to refugees and asylum seekers, specifically the German Democratic Republic's efforts to address these issues and its intention to accede to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol. The text also mentions the appointment of a government official for foreign affairs and the preparation of new laws on the rights of foreigners and asylum.