In this March 11, 2015, file picture, Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom gestures during an interview with Swedish TT News Agency at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in central Stockholm, Sweden
AFP/Stockholm
The United Arab Emirates recalled its ambassador from Sweden Wednesday, widening a diplomatic row triggered by the Nordic country's criticism of Saudi Arabia.
The protest came a week after Saudi Arabia recalled its ambassador from Stockholm, citing Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstroem's criticism of its human rights and democracy record in the Swedish parliament.
The UAE's foreign affairs ministry said in a statement that the ambassador was recalled "in the wake of offending remarks by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden" and that it had lodged a complaint with Sweden's envoy to Abu Dhabi.
The ministry said it condemned the "strong statements" made by the Swedish foreign minister against UAE's neighbour Saudi Arabia.
It added that those statements "violate the principle of sovereignty upon which the normal relations between countries are based" and "do not respect the religious and cultural particularities of states and communities."
In early February Wallstroem described the Gulf state as a "dictatorship" that violates women's rights and whips bloggers during parliamentary talks about arms sales to the country.
Sweden last week cut military ties with Saudi Arabia after Wallstroem accused Riyadh of blocking her from making a speech at the Arab League about human rights.
