German Economy Profiting From Turkey

The head of the Federation of German Industry (BDI), Michael Rogowski, said he expects discussions about Turkey's EU candidacy to send a positive impulse to both the German and the European economies. "The possibility of joining the EU is encouraging deep-reaching political and economic reform in Turkey," Rogowski told Germany's Bild Zeitung. He said the reforms were helping the Turkish economy to take flight, something that would have positive effects on Germany and the EU. He added that Turkey is already an important trading partner. "Over 51 percent of Turkish exports and almost 45 percent of imports are with EU countries," Rogowski said. "This close economic relationship is also helping to secure jobs in Germany." Rogowski's comments come after head of the Christian Democratic Union, Angela Merkel, started a new initiative against Turkey's full membership in the EU.