Erdogan, Merkel to discuss terrorism, Turkish immigrants

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to discuss the issues of terrorism and Turkish immigrants in Germany with his German counterpart Angela Merkel on Friday when he visits Berlin to watch a Germany-Turkey 2012 UEFA European Football Championship qualifying match. Diplomatic sources say Merkel and Erdogan will meet to discuss cooperation to avert the threat of terrorism, the Anka news agency reported yesterday. The sources added that Berlin is increasingly concerned over recent US and British warnings of a heightened risk of terrorist attacks in Europe. Turkey is said to have requested that German authorities crack down on the terrorist PKK's financial resources and show solidarity with Turkey in the fight against terrorism. Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and his German counterpart Guido Westerwelle will also meet on the sidelines of the Merkel-Erdogan talks. Merkel and Erdogan will also reportedly discuss the integration of Turkish immigrants into German society as well as German President Christian Wulff's upcoming visit to Turkey.