​European Alliance group President Mr Stanisław Szwabski warmly congratulated Mr Markku Markkula on becoming the new President of the Committee of the Regions.  At a time when Europe is in crisis with challenges to maintain peace across the continent and deep economic challenges it is time to group together as local and regional authorities to help find common solutions to these problems.  He also congratulated Mr Karl-Heinz Lambertz on his election as first Vice President.  Mr Szwabski added that he looked forward to working with the Presidency team over the coming years.