02:16Germany: Merkel thanks foreign workers for "huge effort" in coming to Germany
German Chancellor Angela Merkel thanked foreigner workers for the "huge effort" they did for Germany marking the 60th anniversary of the first labour agreement signed with foreign workers in the Chancellery in Berlin, Monday. "You have not only helped Germany with its economic miracle as we see it today, but you also contributed to it", she stated.
Moreover, Merkel stressed "it is not easy at all to integrate into German society. Some have managed to do it very well, for others it is still difficult today and we have to be open and we have to speak about it." About Germans Merkel said that "we have to learn that openness and curiosity for other cultures doesn't take anything away from us. It makes us richer."
On December 20, 1955, Germany signed its first labour agreement with Italy, after which other agreements were signed with countries like Morocco, Turkey, Tunesia, Spain, Greece, former Yugoslavia and Portugal. A total of 14 million people came to Germany - mostly for handwork - with 3 million of them staying.
02:16German Chancellor Angela Merkel thanked foreigner workers for the "huge effort" they did for Germany marking the 60th anniversary of the first labour agreement signed with foreign workers in the Chancellery in Berlin, Monday. "You have not only helped Germany with its economic miracle as we see it today, but you also contributed to it", she stated.
Moreover, Merkel stressed "it is not easy at all to integrate into German society. Some have managed to do it very well, for others it is still difficult today and we have to be open and we have to speak about it." About Germans Merkel said that "we have to learn that openness and curiosity for other cultures doesn't take anything away from us. It makes us richer."
On December 20, 1955, Germany signed its first labour agreement with Italy, after which other agreements were signed with countries like Morocco, Turkey, Tunesia, Spain, Greece, former Yugoslavia and Portugal. A total of 14 million people came to Germany - mostly for handwork - with 3 million of them staying.