European Commission says response to violence in Albania must be lawful and proportionate

• Commission condemns use of violence in Tirana and other cities in Albania
• It cites arson, attacks on State institutions and destruction of public and private property
• Response to violence must remain within the law and proportionate, Commission says
• Those responsible should be held to account through due process
• Commission welcomes Albanian authorities' commitment to protect the right to protest
• Grievances should be handled through constructive dialogue and peacefully, it says

Violence condemned, with a call for a proportionate response

The European Commission condemned the use of violence in Tirana and other cities in Albania, including arson, attacks on State institutions and the destruction of public and private property.

European Commission says response to violence in Albania must be lawful and proportionate

It said violence has no place in a democratic society and that the response to it must remain within the law and proportionate.

Due process and fundamental freedoms

Those responsible should be held to account through due process, the Commission said.

It described freedom of assembly and expression as fundamental rights and core European values, to be respected and exercised peacefully.

Protection of protest and peaceful dialogue

The Commission welcomed the Albanian authorities' commitment that the right to protest will be protected.

It said that in a candidate country firmly committed to the EU accession process and making important progress on its EU path, grievances should be handled through constructive dialogue and in a peaceful manner.