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Germany 'immigrant contract' move Germany 'immigrant contract' move
(20 minutes later)
Germany is drawing up a new contract to bind new immigrants to the country's values, officials say.Germany is drawing up a new contract to bind new immigrants to the country's values, officials say.
Newcomers should learn German and uphold values such as freedom of speech and sexual equality, said Commissioner for Immigration Maria Boehmer.Newcomers should learn German and uphold values such as freedom of speech and sexual equality, said Commissioner for Immigration Maria Boehmer.
In return, immigrants could expect "help and support", Dr Boehmer said.In return, immigrants could expect "help and support", Dr Boehmer said.
"Anyone who wants to live here for a long time and who wants to work has to say 'Yes' to our country," she told the Stuttgarter Nachrichten newspaper."Anyone who wants to live here for a long time and who wants to work has to say 'Yes' to our country," she told the Stuttgarter Nachrichten newspaper.
"We will draw up contracts with new immigrants," said Dr Boehmer."We will draw up contracts with new immigrants," said Dr Boehmer.
"In those contracts will be set out what they can expect in terms of support and help. But they will also set out what we can expect from immigrants."In those contracts will be set out what they can expect in terms of support and help. But they will also set out what we can expect from immigrants.
"Everyone who wants to live and work here long term must say 'Yes' to our country. And for that we need a commonly accepted set of values."Everyone who wants to live and work here long term must say 'Yes' to our country. And for that we need a commonly accepted set of values.
"These include a good knowledge of the German language, but also a readiness to take part in society.""These include a good knowledge of the German language, but also a readiness to take part in society."
'Demographic problems''Demographic problems'
Dr Boehmer said the number of highly qualified immigrants coming to Germany was too small.Dr Boehmer said the number of highly qualified immigrants coming to Germany was too small.
The country must become more attractive to give it "the expertise that will enable us to ensure our leading economic role in world markets", she said.The country must become more attractive to give it "the expertise that will enable us to ensure our leading economic role in world markets", she said.
"Our demographic problems won't be solved through immigration... But, we must also make sure we harness the potential of immigrants already living here."Our demographic problems won't be solved through immigration... But, we must also make sure we harness the potential of immigrants already living here.
"For that, we need good language teaching, schooling and a better recognition of qualifications gained abroad," added Dr Boehmer."For that, we need good language teaching, schooling and a better recognition of qualifications gained abroad," added Dr Boehmer.
Germany, which has around 15 million immigrants out of a population of around 82 million, last year introduced a test for would-be citizens on key facts about the country.Germany, which has around 15 million immigrants out of a population of around 82 million, last year introduced a test for would-be citizens on key facts about the country.
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