The European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton welcomed the decision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on Sunday on granting Saudi women the right to participate in Majlis Al-Shura and to vote and stand as candidates in municipal elections. Michael Mann, a Spokesman for Ashton said in a press statement yesterday that Ashton stressed the importance that all countries in the world support women's participation in parliamentary life, noting that the King's decision is an important step forward.
