UAE rejects 'racist statement' by EU's Josep Borrell -state news agency

FILE PHOTO: European Union Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell attends the Informal EU 27 Summit and Meeting within the European Political Community at Prague Castle, in Prague, Czech Republic, October 7, 2022. REUTERS/David W Cerny

(Reuters) - The United Arab Emirates said late on Monday that it rejects a "racist statement" by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell at the inauguration of the new European Diplomatic Academy in Bruges, Belgium, calling his remarks "inappropriate and discriminatory," UAE state news agency (WAM) reported.

The foreign ministry summoned the acting head of the mission at the EU delegation to the UAE. The ministry asked Borrell's office to provide a written explanation of what is described as "hurtful comments," WAM added.