PM says protests prove progress

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama says a month-long wave of protests in the capital, Tirana, is proof of national economic success.

Speaking to Serbian television, Mr Rama argued that citizens were demanding faster improvements because his government had already raised baseline living standards across the country.

Demonstrators have spent weeks campaigning against controversial urban and environmental projects, but the premier claimed wealthier societies simply have less tolerance for flawed public services.

He also defended regional trade deals with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, claiming opponents only rejected the agreements because of who proposed them.