EU urges full equality after historic Saudi female vote move

(BRUSSELS) - The EU's foreign affairs chief welcomed Saudi Arabia's decision on Monday to allow women to vote, urging full equality in its wake.

English baroness Catherine Ashton, the appointed representative of the 27 European Union states, "encourages the Saudi authorities to continue on the path towards equality between women and men in political, social and economic life", she said in a statement.

Saudi King Abdullah on Sunday granted women the right to vote and run in municipal elections, in a historic first for the ultra-conservative country where women are subjected to many restrictions.

Ashton said she "attaches great importance to supporting women's political participation around the world".

Women's rights activists have long fought for the right to vote in the Gulf kingdom, which applies a strict version of Sunni Islam and bans women from driving or travelling without the consent of a male guardian.