Frankfurt (Germany), 20 Oct. (LaPresse) – “Behind the term ‘remigration’ lies an attack on the modern Germany that we have built together over the last 65 years.” This was stated by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who described the word ‘remigration’ as an unacceptable term during a ceremony in Berlin marking the 65th anniversary of the 1961 agreement between Germany and Turkey on the recruitment of workers, as reported by DPA. Merz recalled the racist attacks in Mölln, Solingen and Hanau, warning against growing hostility towards immigrants. “Fear of the foreigner is poison for any free society. And it is once again being fuelled and exploited for ideological ends,” he said. The Chancellor paid tribute to the contribution made by Turkish workers to the country’s economic and social development. “ Turkish guest workers have helped to build our country’s industrial base,” he declared. “They have created the infrastructure of prosperity in which we live today” and “played a major role in shaping the cultural fabric of the Federal Republic of Germany”. According to Merz, “Germany has become richer culturally, economically, scientifically and even in culinary terms thanks to immigration from Turkey”. Merz emphasised that those arriving in Germany must respect its democratic rules, including the principle of equality between men and women and responsibility towards the Jewish community. At the same time, those who integrate must be able to count on equal opportunities and recognition of their place in German society. The Chancellor also reiterated that Germany continues to need skilled workers from abroad. The agreement between Germany and Turkey was signed on 30 October 1961. Over the following twelve years, around 867,000 Turkish citizens arrived in West Germany to work mainly in mines and factories.
Germany, Merz: “The term ‘remigration’ is an attack on modern Germany”
Frankfurt (Germany), 20 Oct. (LaPresse) – “Behind the term ‘remigration’ lies an attack on the modern Germany that we have built together over the last 65 years.” This was stated by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who described the word ‘remigration’ as an unacceptable term during a ceremony in Berlin marking the 65th anniversary of the 1961 agreement between Germany and Turkey on the recruitment of workers, as reported by DPA. Merz recalled the racist attacks in Mölln, Solingen and Hanau, warning against growing hostility towards immigrants. “Fear of the foreigner is poison for any free society. And it is once again being fuelled and exploited for ideological ends,” he said. The Chancellor paid tribute to the contribution made by Turkish workers to the country’s economic and social development. “ Turkish guest workers have helped to build our country’s industrial base,” he declared. “They have created the infrastructure of prosperity in which we live today” and “played a major role in shaping the cultural fabric of the Federal Republic of Germany”. According to Merz, “Germany has become richer culturally, economically, scientifically and even in culinary terms thanks to immigration from Turkey”. Merz emphasised that those arriving in Germany must respect its democratic rules, including the principle of equality between men and women and responsibility towards the Jewish community. At the same time, those who integrate must be able to count on equal opportunities and recognition of their place in German society. The Chancellor also reiterated that Germany continues to need skilled workers from abroad. The agreement between Germany and Turkey was signed on 30 October 1961. Over the following twelve years, around 867,000 Turkish citizens arrived in West Germany to work mainly in mines and factories.