Watson welcomes "long awaited" return of FDP to European Parliament

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 14th Jun 2004

The return of Germany's Free Democrats Party (FDP) to the European Parliament was welcomed today by European Liberal Democrat leader in the European Parliament, Graham Watson MEP (Liberal Democrat/UK):

"I warmly welcome the long-awaited return of the FDP to the European Parliament. Ten years without FDP representation in the European Parliament was far too long, and I am delighted that Silvana Koch-Mehrin and her colleagues will join us to strengthen the Liberal group."

"From outside the Parliament Silvana Koch-Mehrin and her FDP colleagues have been committed advocates of a reformed European Union and a reinvigorated Europe. Now they will be able to make that case with us from the inside."

"By returning FDP MEPs to the European Parliament, Germans have sent a strong signal to the dinosaurs of the SDP and the CDU: no more half-hearted reform - lets get back to the business of Europe."