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Rösler: Ease visa rules for Turks and Russians

Published: 27 Dec 12 09:57 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/politics/20121227-46989.html

German Economy Minister and Vice Chancellor Philipp Rösler has suggested lifting visa restrictions for Russian and Turkish citizens, as a signal of "welcome and openness," a newspaper reported Thursday.

In a policy paper released by the Economy Ministry and seen by the Saarbrücker Zeitung, Rösler warned that a too-restrictive visa policy could be a "disadvantage in both competition and location." He added that easing restrictions would also give a boost to tourism.

The paper is thought to be the result of Rösler's recent meetings with business leaders in both countries.

The paper directly contradicts Rösler's cabinet colleague, Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich, who on Monday denied calls from Turkey and Russia to ease visa restrictions for all their citizens.

But Rösler received support from another major cabinet member, Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, Rösler's predecessor as leader of the pro-business Free Democratic Party.

"We're an interconnected country, we live from exports," Westerwelle told the paper. "We need rules that protect out security interests, but don't damage our economic and political interests."

Despite Westerwelle's support, Rösler is facing considerable pressure from within his own party. Reacting to Rösler's poor popularity ratings, the FDP's Dirk Niebel, overseas development minister, said on Wednesday that it was "not absolutely necessary" that Rösler would lead the party into next autumn's general election.

In a Forsa survey released on Wednesday, the FDP, junior partner in Angela Merkel's centre-right coalition, once again slipped below the crucial five percent mark that guarantees representation in the Bundestag.

The Local/bk

What do you think? Leave your comment below.


Your comments about this article:

11:26 December 27, 2012 by Berlin fuer alles
Let me get this straight. He thinks restrictions should be lifted for countries outside the EU whilst Germany restricted access to Germany for new EU member countries like Latvia for the maximum possible period allowed. Talk abot wanting his bread buttered on both sides. Why set down goal posts at all? Just play a no rules no boundaries game and let us all fight for ourselves like the old days and do away with this EU Euro scam. I don't want that to happen but the hypocrasy of some German politicians is overwhelming. No surprise Westerwelle agreeing. He would have us all in chains workinf for his corporate buddies if he could.
12:00 December 27, 2012 by Tonne
Stage one: lift visa restrictions for Russian citizens.

Stage two: sell DB to the highest (Russian?) bidder.

Stage three: accept an appointment on the board of the newly privatised railway company, when the FDP is ousted from power?

A very cunning plan!
12:00 December 27, 2012 by raandy
He wants to open" Pandoras Box", better think this through a bit longer.
12:17 December 27, 2012 by trevzns
Is there a word in German for Snake Oil Salesman?

Ha-ha....whats next?
12:56 December 27, 2012 by goodhund
I don't need to understand - why russians, why only russians? Is Germany for germans or only for fools? All russians have to stay in Large Russia, because Russia needs their work and help. Russia more enough than enough for russians! Maybe chinese needs to occupy Russia, so russians needs to go west and occupy Germany, again.

Who knows the completely TRUE history knows that Europe is like "black hole", because where there have been too many wars in history.
13:00 December 27, 2012 by Berlin fuer alles
@Tonne

Stage four: Invite China to join the EU. Prop up German banks with Chinese money stored away from overspending Europe on Chinese made German products. This money having been lent out by German banks in the first place.
13:02 December 27, 2012 by michael4096
Maybe I'm confused, but these are visitor visas, not working visas like Latvia - oder?
14:56 December 27, 2012 by grinners
Dear Mr Rösler,

Please also lift the requirements for Australians.

Many Thanks,

Grinners
15:42 December 27, 2012 by catjones
I need to be afraid of something that has zero affect on me. I'll add this to the list.
16:37 December 27, 2012 by Berlin fuer alles
@grinners.

He might just agree to do that if australia lifts their requirements. Do we still need a criminal record to be allowed in?
18:31 December 27, 2012 by Englishted
Will that not break the E.U. rules?

3 to 4% in the polls they are going for broke, the party is really over.

The lunatics have taken over the asylum.
00:28 December 28, 2012 by jmclewis
Who does Rösler represent? Can he open the border to US Citizens we are crashing like Rome.
12:09 December 28, 2012 by grinners
@ Berlin fuer alles

It's a lot easier for a German to live in Australia. Visa requirements are broarder and also employment opportunities far better.

As an Australian in Germany looking for a job (no longer) a working permit under an employer sponsorship can only be granted if:

the position can firstly not be filled by a german; and secondly that due to my heritage I am required for the role.

So long that a german could pos fill the role, it must be first offered to a german.

It seems unless one is ready to either work in top management, have kids or get married (and having kids was strongly recommened by my migration officer), you're buggered.
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