Opposition protests step back for country's EU drive: Albanian PM

TIRANA, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Opposition protests makes Albania "lose some points in terms of its EU integration drive," Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama told reporters Monday.

Rama strongly condemned protests inside and outside parliament, including the throwing of smoke bombs in parliament by opposition lawmakers.

The actions were triggered after the Albanian parliament approved the candidacy of Socialist party nominee Arta Marku as the country's interim general prosecutor.

The opposition said the new general prosecutor was elected in an unconstitutional manner and accused Rama of trying to place his stooges in power.

Rama reacted saying the prosecutor was appointed legally, based on the constitution and confirmed by the missions of the United States and EU, who have been assisting in the process of judiciary reform.

"We want dialogue with the opposition, not only to respect the constitution but also to fulfill the judiciary reform obligations together with the opposition. We are at an important moment for Albania," Rama said.

On the other hand, Democratic Party leader Lulzim Basha said Marku's nomination was a constitutional coup by the majority, and vowed more protests. Enditem