During the Council in Sofia on Saturday 28 April, the ALDE Party welcomed the Alliance Party of Northern Alliance as an affiliate member.

The Alliance Party of Northern Alliance is a liberal and centrist from Northern Ireland who are already a member of Liberal International. Alliance has 8 seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly.

"I am delighted Alliance has joined the ALDE Party as an affiliate member," said Alliance Leader Naomi Long MLA.

"It is so important we continue to build strong relationships with other liberal parties across Europe, especially with the challenges of Brexit impacting upon Northern Ireland and the wider UK already. Many of the members of ALDE will be voting on the final Brexit deal and it is important we have that progressive, liberal voice heard."

ALDE Party President Hans van Baalen MEP added: "Alliance has always been part of the European liberal family, with its progressive and positive values. I am delighted to welcome them to ALDE and I look forward to our future cooperation together."

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Welcome to @allianceparty, our new affiliate member party from #NorthernIreland! pic.twitter.com/23TYujgCJG

— ALDE Party (@ALDEParty) April 28, 2018