At the meeting these points were touched:

“The intense, complicated and multidimensional relation between Germany and Turkey makes each country special for the other. This “privileged relation” is supported by the two countries with the will of development and improvement despite the problems emerging from time to time and different administrations. Considering multidimensional relations between Turkey and Germany today, three fundamental points come into existence: firstly, political, social, and especially economic “bilateral relations” between two countries; secondly, Germany’s role in Turkey-the EU relations; and thirdly the existence of “immigrant” Turks living in Germany. All these three points have been very important for both Germany’s foreign and domestic policies. And there is no doubt that it will continue to catch the attention in the future.”

“It is observed that Turkey –particularly in the EU- is playing more important role in foreign policy moves each passing day. The issues such as historical ties and relations, expansion in financial activities, partnership in many regional activities, intensity in political relations, close cooperation in economy, and great interest of the public opinion play extremely significant role in relations.”

“It can be easily claimed that there has been a very special and positive –in general- and “privileged” relation –in particular- between Turkey and Germany since the foundation of the Federal Republic of Germany in May 23, 1949. Every time Germany supported Turkey financially and Germany took Turkey to many Western communities, particularly to the EEC. Then the relations with Germany had the parallel course with the anxieties of divided Germany and with the conditions of Turkish immigrants. There had been a break in the relations since the mid-70s when Germany no longer needed immigrant workers and in the following years this issue played a serious role directly or indirectly in the following problems. The second serious break in the Federal Republic of Germany’s “connections” with Turks and Turkey was when there were debates on “free circulation” which came into question within the frame of the agreements with the EEC in the 80s when there was no manpower deficit in Germany and therefore extremist right wing reactions increased. In spite of the conditions of Ankara Agreement and Additional Protocol, -to some extent-“usurped” free circulation was put aside; furthermore Turks’ arrivals were tried to be blocked radically with visa walls.”

“Turks in Germany have an extremely heterogeneous nature. The significant socio-economic differences among the first generations who stayed in Germany, those who were the children of the first comers (second and third generation), and especially those who went to Germany after 1980 due to political reasons should be taken into consideration. However, it needs to be indicated that despite all problems and difficulties, Turks in Germany (their population is more than those of many European countries) are now beyond those who are depicted as “guests”; because they created their own middle class and became one of the essential elements of social, economic, cultural, and political life in Germany. In spite of all negative conditions, unforeseen developments, the negligence and mistakes of both Germany and Turkey, and most importantly radical cultural differences in comparison to other immigrant groups, it can be easily stated that Turks’ adaptation to Germany has been pretty good. This evaluation does not mean that we can ignore the problems; yet it needs to be taken into consideration in order to have efficient immigrant policies and to develop strategies in accordance with them.“       

“The Turks living in Germany and in other EU member states are in a very deep emotional tie with their mother country and the policies between the countries they are in and Turkey play an important role in their political actions. Turkish immigrants keep their distance from the political movements which are very critical of Turkey. Turkish immigrants who are so sensitive particularly about the EU feel that the criticism of Turkey is exclusion and that actually they are excluded. Sometimes Germany’s -especially conservative, right-wing, radical right-wing, and racist political movements’- inclines to put some distance with foreigners in order to make them gain a new identity and to some policies that can be sometimes called xenophobia also affect Turks’ decisions. The strict limitation on immigration, encouraging the immigrants in the country to go back their mother countries as soon as possible, the application of some regulations on family reunification that can be considered contradictory to fundamental human rights, and some regulations to send “problematic” immigrants directly to their mother country give the impression of a serious ostracism. “

After Assoc. Prof. Dr. Murat Erdogan’s presentation, the meeting ended with the question-answer part.