21.10.2026 14:02
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said at an event in Berlin marking the 65th anniversary of the Turkey-Germany Labor Agreement that Turkish workers, through their extraordinary diligence, laid the foundations of Germany's current prosperity. Citing İlkay Gündoğan, Uğur Şahin and Özlem Türeci as examples, Merz also recalled that the Turkish community had to struggle against racist attacks such as those in Mölln, Solingen and Hanau.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, in his speech at the event marking the 65th anniversary of the Turkey-Germany Labor Agreement, said, "Turkish workers contributed to the formation of our country's industrial structure. With their extraordinary diligence, they laid the foundation for the prosperity we enjoy today. They deeply shaped Germany's cultural face and continue to shape it to this day."
German Chancellor Merz attended the event "65 Years of Shared History - Anniversary of the Germany-Turkey Labor Agreement" organized by the Federal Ministry of Labour in the capital Berlin. The event, hosted by Minister of State for Migration, Refugees and Integration Natalie Pawlik, also included first-generation Turks who came to Germany as well as representatives of the second and third generations who are the same age as their children and grandchildren.
Merz, welcomed by Turkey's Ambassador to Berlin Gökhan Turan, emphasized in his speech at the event the contributions of Turkish immigrants to Germany's economic and cultural structure. Recalling that the first Turkish workers who came from Turkey to Germany were known as "guest workers," Merz stressed that a large portion of those who came especially between 1961 and 1973 returned, but those who continued to stay in Germany continued to contribute to the development of his country by bringing their families and moving to cities. Friedrich Merz said, "Turkish guest workers contributed to the formation of our country's industrial structure. With their extraordinary diligence, they laid the foundation for the prosperity we enjoy today. They deeply shaped Germany's cultural face and continue to shape it to this day."
HE ALSO RECALLED RACIST ATTACKS
While listing names of Turkish origin who have been successful in Germany in his speech, Merz cited examples such as footballer İlkay Gündoğan and Uğur Şahin and Özlem Türeci, who developed the coronavirus vaccine, and noted that despite this, the Turkish community had to struggle with racism and xenophobia, especially the racist attacks in Mölln and Solingen and the attacks linked to the NSU and Hanau.
CHILDREN OF GUEST WORKERS BECAME INFLUENTIAL
Turkey's Ambassador to Berlin Gökhan Turan also emphasized that the 65th anniversary of the labor agreement is an indication of the friendship that brings the two peoples together. Ambassador Turan noted that the labor agreement enabled Turkish citizens to assume an important role in Germany's development, and said, "The children of those who came to Germany as guest workers have today reached influential and decision-making positions in politics, economy, art and sports, as well as education."
Drawing attention to international crises and uncertainties, Turan stated that Turkish-German relations could be carried further through contacts based on dialogue and mutual trust between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
THREE GENERATIONS MET ON THE SAME PANEL
After the event, in a panel featuring representatives of the first generation of Turks in Germany along with representatives of the second and third generations who are the same age as their children and grandchildren, views were exchanged on the topics of the Turkey-Germany Labor Agreement, the difficulties experienced by the first generation who came to Germany, and the current position of the Turkish community today.