The ALDE group welcomes a new member: Austrian independent MEP Angelika WERTHMANN joins the group.

Ms. Werthmann was elected to the European Parliament in June 2009 in Austria. Since July 2010 she has worked as an independent member, mainly in the Budget Committee and in the Petition Committee.

Guy VERHOFSTADT, president of the ALDE group: "I am very pleased that with Angelika Werthmann the ALDE group now has 87 members* from 22 EU countries. I am confident that Ms. Werthmann's political work will get a boost from the new cooperation, and ALDE will benefit from the addition of another member state in our ranks. It is a win-win situation."

Graham WATSON, president of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party (ELDR): "With the integration of Angelika Werthmann into the liberal family, our Austrian friends of Liberales Forum, who also count on her, will be better connected again to Brussels and Strasbourg, which clearly improves the perspective for the future of the party."

Angelika WERTHMANN: "I am convinced that in these times of economic crisis there is a particular need for pro-European, liberal politics in Austria. Inside a strong ALDE group, I look forward to better transfering these ideas and deeds between Austria and the European level."

More information about Ms. Werthmann can be found on http://www.angelika-werthmann.at

**incl. the observer from Croatia.