In Germany, Erdogan slams xenophobia, urges integration

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday slammed "xenophobia" in Germany as he urged Turkish workers there to integrate into German society, but without abandoning their own culture. "We are following xenophobia in some European countries, primarily Germany, with great concern. ... We urge politicians and especially the media ... not to fan it," he told a crowd of Turkish immigrants in the Western German city of Dusseldorf, in a speech aired on Turkish television. "Islamophobia is a much a crime against humanity as anti-Semitism," Erdogan said. "Yes to integration. ... But no to assimilation. ... No one can tear us from our culture," he said. "If they don't want Turkey in, they should say this openly ... and then we'll mind our own business and not bother them," Erdogan added. "But there is a lot we can give the European Union, and the EU has a lot to give Turkey. ... We want to work on in solidarity."