The European Commission issued an official statement on the situation in Albania, where mass protests accompanied by acts of violence took place in Tirana and several other cities. In a statement published in Brussels on October 18, 2026, the European Commission condemned arson, attacks on state institutions, as well as the destruction of state and private property. According to European officials, such actions are unacceptable and contradict the principles of the rule of law that Albania, as a candidate country for European Union membership, aspires to uphold. Brussels emphasized the importance of a peaceful settlement of the domestic political crisis and called on all sides of the conflict to refrain from escalating violence. The European Commission also expressed concern about the potential consequences of the protests for the country's social and economic stability, as well as for its European integration. It is noted that the EU continues to closely monitor the situation in Albania and is ready to offer support in resolving the crisis through dialogue and institutional mechanisms. The statement came against the backdrop of rising political tensions in the country, the causes of which are not detailed in the document.