Luxembourg, 20/06/2011 (Agence Europe) - EU foreign ministers have expressed concern about the electoral deadlock in Albania's capital Tirana, and urged all parties to restore political dialogue. “The situation in Tirana is a matter of concern. The EU deplores the deterioration of the political situation and increased tensions that followed the elections and conduct of the process”, they said in conclusions from their meeting in Luxembourg on Monday 20 June. The local elections on 8 May in Tirana passed largely without incident, but the incumbent mayor has launched a legal challenge against the result. Ministers said it was essential that the election process, including appeals, is carried out transparently and independently and in full compliance with current electoral laws. Only when the stalemate has ended, the ministers said, “will Albania be able to move forward towards the EU”.