MIGRATION FROM TURKEY TO GERMANY: 50 YEARS AFTER

The conference titled "Migration from Turkey to Germany: 50 Years After" organized by Koc University was held at Rixos Hotel in Ankara with the participation of Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis and State Minister Faruk Celik.

Delivering a speech at the opening of the conference, Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis stated that the last 50 years had to be analyzed well in order to achieve Turkey's alignment with the EU and full membership target. Indicating that migration of workers to Germany and Turkey's EU membership process were almost of the same age, Bagis noted that well understanding of this process had a great importance for both sides.

Bagis said, "When the migration started and when Turkey first applied for European Union membership, our average income per capita was 400 dollars, today it is 11000 dollars. The world is changing. Both Germany and Turkey and the world changed a lot in this half century period."

Noting that those who went to Germany as workers in the 60ies now served as entrepreneurs and employers, Minister for EU Affairs Bagis said, "Our brothers made a great contribution to the politics, economy, art world and sports in Germany."

Bagis said, "Our brothers in Germany reflect the face of Turkey in Europe." Emphasizing that Turkey should not be insensitive to integration efforts of Turks in Germany and reminding that a separate organisation was established in Turkey to deal with the problems of citizens living abroad for the first time through the history of the Republic; Bagis stated that he was much hopeful of the forthcoming period.

Source: AA