BERLIN
Turkey wants Germany's support in visa exemption talks in exchange for its signing of a readmission agreement that allow European Union countries to send illegal immigrants to Turkey.
"We request Germany to continue displaying a constructive and supportive attitude in the visa liberalization talks," Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday in Berlin.
Erdogan - talking at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel - wants a deal that would lift visa restrictions on Turks traveling to Europe.
Under the terms of the readmission agreement - signed December 16 in Ankara - Turkey has agreed to take back immigrants who illegally enter the EU from Turkish territory.
Erdogan also thanked Germany for its support during Turkey's EU accession process, saying "Chapter 22 was opened and now chapters 23 and 24, which are blocked by the Greek Cypriot administration, bear importance."
Chapter 23 deals with Judiciary and fundamental rights, and 24 with Justice, freedom and security.
"We are holding talks with France and other countries and we especially need the support of the Chancellor."
Touching on Germany's Turkish population, Erdogan stated that Turks do not have problems integrating, the proof - he said - being in their ability to play for German football teams at national and club level.
He also expressed that both countries collaborate in energy security and said renewable energy bears key potential in terms of energy cooperation between the two countries.
Turkish citizens make up almost 5% of Germany's population, which started to immigrate in 1960s.
Merkel said Turks in Germany have the right to participate in elections, and promised her support to enable them to vote in the upcoming Turkish presidential election.
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