BELGRADE, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- European Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn on Friday called on opposition in Montenegro to end their parliamentary boycott, saying political tensions should be resolved in parliament, not in street protests.
The EU commissioner made the call after his meeting with the Prime Minister of Montenegro Dusko Markovic on Friday in Podgorica, during which Montenegro's and the region's progress in European integration was discussed.
The two also commented on the long-enduring parliamentary boycott of a part of the opposition and the recent protests and political affairs in Montenegro.
Hahn criticized the boycott of parliament by some MPs, saying "boycott is not the way to solve problems and express different opinions".
Markovic said that the ongoing protests and the opposition requests to form a technical government are legitimate, but insisted that the current government will continue to function as long as it is supported by the majority of MPs.
He said that there are perhaps "political tensions, dissatisfaction and demands" in Montenegro, but did not think there is political crisis.
He concluded that, instead of street protests, Montenegrin opposition should join the work of the parliamentary work-group, formed to initiate reforms in the election system for the upcoming elections in 2020.
Hahn arrived on Thursday in Montenegro to participate in the Western Balkans Ministerial Meeting on Clean Energy.