Dubai, UAE—The UAE joined the chorus that has criticized Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, who described the world outside Europe as a potentially violent jungle.
UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said it “rejected the racist statement” by Borrell and added that “statements of this kind are inappropriate and discriminatory”.
“These statements contribute to a worsening climate of intolerance and discrimination worldwide,” the ministry said in a statement and asked the Office of the High Representative to “provide a written explanation of the High Representative’s hurtful and discriminatory comments”.
“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 statement reads.
Borrell said in a speech in Bruges, Belgium that “Europe is a garden, but most of the rest of the world is a jungle, and the jungle could invade the garden”.