“Fear of strangers is the poison of every free society,” warns Merz

Chancellor Friedrich Merz praised the achievements of Turkish migrant workers in Germany. “Turkish guest workers have helped build the industrial substance of our country,” said the CDU politician at a ceremony to mark the 65th anniversary of the recruitment agreement between Germany and Turkey in Berlin. He spoke of a success story. They “created the infrastructure of prosperity in which we live today” and also “deeply shaped the cultural face of the Federal Republic of Germany”.

“In the 1960s, 70s and 80s, Germans and Turks became modern, cosmopolitan and tolerant in their encounters with one another,” stated Merz. “Germany has become culturally, economically, scientifically and also culinary richer thanks to migration from Turkey.”

People who come to Germany are rightly expected to adhere to the democratic rules in this country, said the Chancellor, who mentioned, among other things, equal rights for men and women and responsibility towards Jews.

Conversely, everyone who integrates can expect equal opportunities and belonging from German society, emphasized Merz. Nevertheless, despite all efforts, many are treated as strangers. "And the fear of strangers is the poison of every free society. And it is once again ideologically charged and exploited."

The Chancellor recalled the racist attacks in Mölln, Solingen and Hanau. He called the term remigration a nonsense. “Behind this is an attack on the modern Germany that we have built together over the past 65 years.” Germany still needs skilled workers from abroad today.

Integration officer Natalie Pawlik also pointed out growing racism. People would be afraid. “We are witnessing how people are being openly excluded again.” The Turkish ambassador to Germany, Gökhan Turan, described the numerous events marking the anniversary of the recruitment agreement as a sign of German-Turkish friendship.

The recruitment agreement was concluded on October 30, 1961. Originally it was supposed to be a temporary solution to initially recruit workers for the rapidly growing German economy for two years. As early as 1964, the time limit was abandoned and permanent residence and easier family reunification were made possible.

In the following twelve years, according to the Düsseldorf State Chancellery, around 867,000 women and men from Turkey traveled to West Germany to work in the mines, on conveyor belts and in factories, especially in the Ruhr area.