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EU condemns Albania’s opposition violence at parliament

By Associated Press

Published: 06:37 EST, 19 December 2017 | Updated: 06:52 EST, 19 December 2017

TIRANA, Albania (AP) – The European Union has condemned violence by the Albanian opposition during voting for a temporary prosecutor general.

A statement Tuesday urged Albanian political parties "to work in partnership in pursuing important reforms that are also crucial for Albania's aspiration to join the EU."

On Monday, opposition lawmakers threw smoke bombs inside parliament and their supporters clashed with police outside during the voting of the interim prosecutor general opposing it as unconstitutional.

Albania's opposition lawmakers throw smoke bombs inside the parliament during the election of a temporary prosecutor general, which they consider to be unconstitutional in Tirana, Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. Albanian police have clashed with opposition supporters trying to force their way into and disrupt a session of parliament. (AP Photo)

Albania's opposition lawmakers throw smoke bombs inside the parliament during the election of a temporary prosecutor general, which they consider to be unconstitutional in Tirana, Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. Albanian police have clashed with opposition supporters trying to force their way into and disrupt a session of parliament. (AP Photo)

The EU and the U.S., which also strongly condemned the violence, have helped Albania draft judicial reforms and they supported naming someone to the position temporarily until a permanent commission, which hasn't been created, appoints a prosecutor general.

Albania, a NATO member since 2009, was granted EU candidate status in 2014 and hopes to launch negotiations next year.

Demonstrators scuffle with riot police during a protest against a vote to appoint a temporary prosecutor general, which they consider to be unconstitutional in Tirana, Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. Albanian police have clashed with opposition supporters trying to force their way into and disrupt a session of parliament. (AP Photo)Demonstrators scuffle with riot police during a protest against a vote to appoint a temporary prosecutor general, which they consider to be unconstitutional in Tirana, Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. Albanian police have clashed with opposition supporters trying to force their way into and disrupt a session of parliament. (AP Photo)

Demonstrators scuffle with riot police during a protest against a vote to appoint a temporary prosecutor general, which they consider to be unconstitutional in Tirana, Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. Albanian police have clashed with opposition supporters trying to force their way into and disrupt a session of parliament. (AP Photo)

Opposition lawmakers fight with security personnel as governing socialists watch from their seats during a vote to appoint a temporary prosecutor general, which they consider to be unconstitutional in Tirana, Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. Albanian police clashed with opposition supporters who tried to force their way into parliament to disrupt a vote on the appointment of an interim prosecutor general. (AP Photo)Opposition lawmakers fight with security personnel as governing socialists watch from their seats during a vote to appoint a temporary prosecutor general, which they consider to be unconstitutional in Tirana, Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. Albanian police clashed with opposition supporters who tried to force their way into parliament to disrupt a vote on the appointment of an interim prosecutor general. (AP Photo)

Opposition lawmakers fight with security personnel as governing socialists watch from their seats during a vote to appoint a temporary prosecutor general, which they consider to be unconstitutional in Tirana, Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. Albanian police clashed with opposition supporters who tried to force their way into parliament to disrupt a vote on the appointment of an interim prosecutor general. (AP Photo)

Albania's opposition lawmakers throw smoke bombs inside the parliament during the election of a temporary prosecutor general, which they consider to be unconstitutional in Tirana, Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. Albanian police have clashed with opposition supporters trying to force their way into and disrupt a session of parliament. (AP Photo)Albania's opposition lawmakers throw smoke bombs inside the parliament during the election of a temporary prosecutor general, which they consider to be unconstitutional in Tirana, Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. Albanian police have clashed with opposition supporters trying to force their way into and disrupt a session of parliament. (AP Photo)

Albania's opposition lawmakers throw smoke bombs inside the parliament during the election of a temporary prosecutor general, which they consider to be unconstitutional in Tirana, Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. Albanian police have clashed with opposition supporters trying to force their way into and disrupt a session of parliament. (AP Photo)

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