Josep Borrell apologises for 'jungle' remarks, denies comments were 'racist'

European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell on Tuesday, 18 October, denied that his reference to "jungle" in his remarks was "racist." Borrell apologised for his remarks if some people felt offended by statement. His statement comes after Borrell referred to "Europe" as a "garden" and most of rest of world as a "jungle" that "could inve garden" at inauguration of European Diplomatic Acemy in Belgium on October 13.

EU Foreign policy chief Josep Borrell's remarks prompted criticism from United Arab Emirates. UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation summoned Paulsen, Acting He of Mission at EU Delegation to UAE to give an explanation of statement.  UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) labelled Borrell's remarks as "racist" and "discriminatory." In a blog post on 18 October, Borrell said that his reference to a "jungle" was to increasing examples of countries using force, blackmail and intimidation which he described as a "lawless world and disorder." He emphasised that his reference to "jungle" has no "racist, cultural or geographical connotation" and ded that "jungle" is everywhere, including in Ukraine. 

"We face a world of power politics with weaponisation of interdependence and more examples of countries using force, intimidation and blackmail to get ir way. growth of this lawless world and disorder is what I meant when talking about jungle," Josep Borrell said in blog post. 

"My reference to jungle has no racist, cultural or geographical connotation. Indeed and unfortunately, “jungle” is everywhere, including today in Ukraine," he ded. 

Some misinterpreted metaphor as 'colonial Euro-centrism': Borrell

Borrell underscored that some have misinterpreted metaphor as "colonial Euro-centrism" and apologised for remarks if some felt offended. He mitted that some disliked use of "garden" and "jungle" metaphors as it has been used by "US neo-conservatives" and ded that he is "far" from "this school of political thought." He stressed that he is opposed to racism or contempt towards anyone and said that he was telling students in Bruges and EU ambassors, not to "barrice" in Europe's world by building walls but to engage more with rest of world, "with an open spirit."

" metaphor of  garden” and jungle is not my invention. Some truly dislike it because, among ors, it has been used by US neo-conservatives, but I am far from this school of political thought," Borrell said in blog post. 

Image: AP