The EU's High Representative on Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, did not measure the impact of his harsh criticism of climate campaigners and has had to apologise more than three times in less than 24 hours. Borrell referred to those who follow Norwegian activist Greta Thunberg as the "Greta syndrome" and doubts their willingness to sacrifice their standard of living for the climate's sake .
After his trip in the US, Borrell uses the weekend to repeat again: "I want to apologise to anyone that may have felt offended by my inappropriate reference to the important youth movement fighting climate change."
This is not the first time he has apologised through his Twitter profile. Yesterday, he said young campaigners "inspire politicians and societies. Climate change is one of biggest geopolitical challenges".
Or in another tweet where he expresses the need for "Just Transition Mechanism" to address social and economic change:
His apologies do not seem to please climate campaigners or a considerable number of MEPs or even the European Commission. Some MEPs, like Ireland's Grace O'Sullivan, have also positioned themselves publicly: "Mr Borrell, these children are not suffering from a syndrome - they’re fighting for their future on a liveable planet. You should be doing the same".
This is the controversial interview: