ID :
164665
Mon, 02/28/2011 - 11:09
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Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/164665
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Turkish prime minister arrives in Germany, addresses Turkish community in Dusseldorf
DUSSELDORF (A.A) - 28.02.2011 - Turkey's prime minister arrived in Germany and addressed the Turkish community living in Dusseldorf on Sunday.
Speaking at a gathering at Dusseldorf's Issdome Hall, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkish nationals' "journey of hope" to Germany had started in 1961.
"For the last 50 years, our minds and hearts have been with you. We have felt all the sorrow and joy you have experienced in this country for all those years," Erdogan told the crowd.
Erdogan noted that the Turkish community had struggled with difficulties and achieved a remarkable success in such period, and the second and third generations of Turks had a strong presence in Germany nowadays.
The premier said that artists, footballers, doctors, engineers, businessmen and investors of Turkish origin carried out successful activities in Germany currently.
"Today, Turks are no longer guest workers or foreigners here, but they are both citizens of Turkey and Germany with their mother tongue Turkish and fluent German," he said.
"I would like you to know that you are never alone. You are under the assurance of both the Federal Republic of Germany and the Republic of Turkey," Erdogan said.
The prime minister stated that Turkey was now a different country thanks to its strong economy, active foreign policy, democratic standards, freedoms and national unity project.
Erdogan called on the Turkish artists and writers, who had once had to migrate to Europe due to the problems about freedom of expression in Turkey, to return to homeland.
"I invite these people to contribute to Turkey's transformation process. Doors are wide open for them," he said.
Erdogan also said that Turkey did not think of any benefits when it assessed the situation in the Middle East, Balkans, Caucasus, Asia or Africa.
"We only want democracy, human rights, justice, law and universal values to prevail. We are not interested in the domestic affairs of any country," he said.
The premier noted that defenders of democracy and human rights remained silent about the latest developments in the Middle East, and he described such stance as double standard.
"Those who want democracy and human rights in countries that do not have oil, remain silent about the developments concerning countries with oil. Why is that? This is double standard and insincerity," he said.
Regarding the situation of the Turkish community living in Germany, Erdogan called on the Turkish families to integrate.
"You should definitely integrate with the German society, but we are against assimilation," he noted.
The prime minister said nobody could ignore the law of minorities, however, integration was a necessity both for the welfare of the Turkish community and the society they lived in.
"As for assimilation, I should say that nobody has the right to detach us from our culture and civilization," he said.
Commenting on acts of Islamaphobia, Erdogan said that Islamaphobia was a crime against humanity just like antisemitism.
He said Turkey was concerned over the recent acts of xenophobia in European countries and called on the politicians and media to refrain from encouraging hostility against foreigners.
Regarding activities to enable the Turkish community in Germany to cast votes at the upcoming general elections in Turkey, Erdogan said, "The necessary constitutional and legal amendments that will make it possible for you to cast votes at embassies, consulates and representation centers are ready".
Erdogan said approvals of two authorities _ the relevant German authority and Turkey's Higher Electoral Board _ were expected for such implementation.
Speaking at a gathering at Dusseldorf's Issdome Hall, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkish nationals' "journey of hope" to Germany had started in 1961.
"For the last 50 years, our minds and hearts have been with you. We have felt all the sorrow and joy you have experienced in this country for all those years," Erdogan told the crowd.
Erdogan noted that the Turkish community had struggled with difficulties and achieved a remarkable success in such period, and the second and third generations of Turks had a strong presence in Germany nowadays.
The premier said that artists, footballers, doctors, engineers, businessmen and investors of Turkish origin carried out successful activities in Germany currently.
"Today, Turks are no longer guest workers or foreigners here, but they are both citizens of Turkey and Germany with their mother tongue Turkish and fluent German," he said.
"I would like you to know that you are never alone. You are under the assurance of both the Federal Republic of Germany and the Republic of Turkey," Erdogan said.
The prime minister stated that Turkey was now a different country thanks to its strong economy, active foreign policy, democratic standards, freedoms and national unity project.
Erdogan called on the Turkish artists and writers, who had once had to migrate to Europe due to the problems about freedom of expression in Turkey, to return to homeland.
"I invite these people to contribute to Turkey's transformation process. Doors are wide open for them," he said.
Erdogan also said that Turkey did not think of any benefits when it assessed the situation in the Middle East, Balkans, Caucasus, Asia or Africa.
"We only want democracy, human rights, justice, law and universal values to prevail. We are not interested in the domestic affairs of any country," he said.
The premier noted that defenders of democracy and human rights remained silent about the latest developments in the Middle East, and he described such stance as double standard.
"Those who want democracy and human rights in countries that do not have oil, remain silent about the developments concerning countries with oil. Why is that? This is double standard and insincerity," he said.
Regarding the situation of the Turkish community living in Germany, Erdogan called on the Turkish families to integrate.
"You should definitely integrate with the German society, but we are against assimilation," he noted.
The prime minister said nobody could ignore the law of minorities, however, integration was a necessity both for the welfare of the Turkish community and the society they lived in.
"As for assimilation, I should say that nobody has the right to detach us from our culture and civilization," he said.
Commenting on acts of Islamaphobia, Erdogan said that Islamaphobia was a crime against humanity just like antisemitism.
He said Turkey was concerned over the recent acts of xenophobia in European countries and called on the politicians and media to refrain from encouraging hostility against foreigners.
Regarding activities to enable the Turkish community in Germany to cast votes at the upcoming general elections in Turkey, Erdogan said, "The necessary constitutional and legal amendments that will make it possible for you to cast votes at embassies, consulates and representation centers are ready".
Erdogan said approvals of two authorities _ the relevant German authority and Turkey's Higher Electoral Board _ were expected for such implementation.
