UAE rejects Borrell's 'racist' remarks, demands written apology

UAE summons the acting head of the mission at the EU delegation for an explanation

ABU DHABI:

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) rejected European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell’s ‘racist’ statement on Monday, terming it “inappropriate and discriminatory.”

In a statement issued by the UAE Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC), Borrell’s remarks were characterized as ‘racist’, while it was also highlighted that comments like these ‘worsen the climate of intolerance and discrimination'.

The ministry summoned the acting head of the mission at the EU delegation to the UAE for an explanation and also demanded a written apology from Borrell over his ‘hurtful’ remarks.

“Borrell’s remarks are a disappointing development that comes at a time when all parties are aware of the importance of respect for other religions, cultures, and ethnic groups, as well as values such as pluralism, coexistence, and tolerance,” the ministry’s statement read.

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Borrell came under fire after he compared Europe to a “garden” last week while terming the rest of the world a “jungle that could invade the garden”.

"The gardeners should take care of the garden, but they will not protect the garden by building walls. A nice small garden surrounded by high walls in order to prevent the jungle from coming in is not going to be a solution,” he said.

“Europe is a garden... It's the best combination (...) humankind has been able to build, the rest of the world is a jungle, and the jungle could invade the garden, and the gardeners should take care of it. <…> Europeans are the privileged people.” pic.twitter.com/RXFqTx2GdO

— Maria Dubovikova (@politblogme) October 14, 2022

“Because the jungle has a strong growth capacity, and the wall will never be high enough. The gardeners have to go to the jungle. Europeans have to be much more engaged with the rest of the world. Otherwise, the rest of the world will invade us," he added.