Commissioner says sorry for 'gooks'

brussels - European Commissioner Günther Oettinger (Digital Agenda) Thursday still has apologized for the derogatory comments he made about the Chinese. The Germans called them to a meeting in Hamburg last week ' gooks 'and made insulting remarks about the hairstyles of Chinese diplomats.

' I have taken time to think about my speech and see now that my words have evoked unpleasant feelings and even people have been hurt, 'he said in a statement. ' That was not my intention and I want to apologize for that. 'Initially Oettinger refused to say sorry. The European Commission did not take any disciplinary action.

Last week, Oettinger took also all the rage at the neck of the (socialist) Walloon Prime Minister Paul Magnette. ' Wallonia is a micro region which is controlled by communists blocking the EU, 'Oettinger sneered when Magnette threatened to torpedo the signing of the free trade agreement CETA by setting additional requirements.

On that Oettinger now says he ' sorry that some of my comments were misquoted. Wallonia is a historically significant region. I come from a federal state and the regions take very seriously. '