Germany, a « poorer country » without immigration

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier appealed on Friday to ‘rational’ debates on migration, against the backdrop of border controls decided by the new government, DPA reports.

« Immigration was never easy, » Steinmeier told Berlin, at an event that marked the 50th anniversary of the intercultural week, an initiative at national level against racism.

‘At the same time, it’s not just a problem with problems. It is also an important part of the success story of our country, « the head of state stressed.

According to Steinmeier, discussions on migration policy should include both a ‘sincere position on what we want and we can do’, as well as a ‘consensus on the fact that we are and we will remain a country with many environments, religions and cultures’.

« Being German today means equal rights to those with immigration biographies, » the president added.

About 21 million people from Germany – about a quarter of the population – either migrated to this country or are children of migrants, noted Steinmeier.

« We are more than a country with people with immigration origin, » the president said. Germany is a ‘country with origin in immigration’.

« Without immigration, Germany would undoubtedly be a poorer country, » Steinmeier concluded.