Germany: Erdogan's criticism draws anger

Germany: Erdogan's criticism draws anger



Via the Local:
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized Germany’s attitude to its Turkish minority on his arrival in Berlin to celebrate the 50th anniversary of a "guest worker" agreement between the two countries.

Erdogan's ceremonial trip to Germany has been free of friction so far. He was given an official reception at the palace of German President Christian Wulff on Tuesday evening, and he will meet Chancellor Angela Merkel for a photo opportunity at an event at the Foreign Ministry on Wednesday.

But Erdogan's remarks in the run-up to the trip have been less harmonious.

“German politicians do not acknowledge the contribution of the three million Turks in Germany enough,” he told the mass circulation Bild newspaper. He said there were 72,000 Turkish employers in Germany who provide 350,000 jobs.

“The guest workers of yesterday are slowly becoming the employers, academics, artists,” the Turkish head of government said.

(source)