UAE convenes EU delegation head to explain Borrell’s racist remarks

Oct 17 (Reuters) – The United Arab Emirates summoned the acting head of the European Union’s mission to the UAE on Monday, demanding an explanation of what it said was a racist remark made by the EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, last week.

The UAE’s foreign ministry said the remarks were “inappropriate and discriminatory” and “contributed to a worsening climate of intolerance and discrimination across the globe,” the UAE’s state news agency, WAM, reported.

Speaking at the newly established European Diplomatic Academy in Bruges, Belgium, which has been circulating online since last week, Borrell called Europe a “garden” and much of the world a “jungle that could invade the garden.” “

“Gardeners are supposed to take care of the garden, but they don’t protect the garden by building walls. A nice little garden surrounded by high walls to keep the jungle out is not a solution. Because the jungle has a strong capacity for growth, and walls are never enough. high,” said Spanish politician Borrell.

“Gardeners have to go to the jungle. Europeans have to engage more with the rest of the world. Otherwise, the rest of the world will invade us,” he said.

In a news conference on Monday, Borrell denied that his message was racist or colonial, according to news agency EFE. He said the comments were aimed at rejecting the idea of ​​a “European fortress” and encouraging students to engage with the world.

Reporting by Nayera Abdallah and Andrew Mills; Editing by Chris Reese and Rosalba O’Brien

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