(ANSA) - BRUSSELS FEB 21 - The European Union raises its voice and condemns the ongoing protests in Tirana called by the opposition led by Lulzim Basha to demand the resignation of Edi Rama's socialist government and call for early elections. "We strongly denounce any rhetoric by political leaders calling for violence", as well as "the decision by the opposition to relinquish their mandates, that seriously hinders the functioning of democracy in Albania", EU High Representative Federica Mogherini and EU Commissioner for Enlargement Johannes Hahn wrote in a joint statement.

"The Parliament is the place where reforms and relevant developments should be discussed and taken forward, not boycotted", underlined Mogherini and Hahn, warning the Albanian opposition that "these decisions and acts are counterproductive" and "undermine the progress the country has made on the European Union path".

"EU expects all Members of the Albanian Parliament to continue serving in the Parliament, and to take any necessary measure to avoid violent acts and incendiary statements", they added.

(ANSA).