Albania voices concerns over tensity in neighboring Macedonia

Thursday night's violent development inside Macedonia's parliament building, in which several lawmakers were injured by protesters, caused concerns in Albania.

Albania's foreign ministry said in a statement that it was monitoring the escalation of the situation in Macedonia with great concerns.

Such scenes of violence against the elected representatives of the Macedonian people are unacceptable, Albania's foreign ministry said. It added that violence wouldn't help to solve situation.

Meantime, Albania's prime minister Edi Rama called on Macedonia's political leaders to show restraint and avoid rhetoric that could further escalate the tense situation.

"We also call the relevant structures there to be engaged in ensuring public security and protect all citizens, without exceptions," Rama said late Thursday in a televised interview.

Speaker of the Albanian parliament, Ilir Meta, expressed great concern too over the recent events in Macedonia and the situation there.

Meta urged Macedonian authorities to distance themselves from violence, taking immediate measures to stop the violence and its consequences.

Macedonia's stability remains highly important and crucial to the stability and security of the Balkans and its future, Meta said.

Protesters stormed into the building of the Macedonian parliament on Thursday afternoon after the MPs from SDSM and the smaller Albanian parties elected Tallat Xhaferi from DUI as new Parliament speaker. Endit