Germany, Kenya sign migration agreement

By Anadolu staff

BERLIN (AA) - Germany and Kenya signed a migration agreement on Friday to facilitate mobility for students, trainees and skilled workers.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the agreement will be important especially for young talented people as they will be able to travel to Germany for vocational training.

“This can help us to compensate for the serious shortage of skilled workers, the initial effects of which we are now feeling, and which will be with us for years and decades to come,” Scholz said, after the signing ceremony at the Federal Chancellery.

He noted that with today’s agreement German and Kenyan authorities will also strengthen their cooperation in addressing the irregular migration problem.

“The agreement will facilitate effective return procedures for those who have come to us from Kenya, but do not have a right to stay here. They will return to their homeland more quickly,” Scholz said.

Kenyan President William Ruto said his country attaches great importance to enhance economic ties with Germany, and expressed hope that today’s agreement will contribute to this.

“Today we celebrate the signing of this comprehensive migration and labour mobility partnership agreement. That will provide a context for expanding the relationship between our two countries,” he said.

Ruto called on German companies to invest in his country, stressing that with its young population, vast renewable energy sources, Kenya could provide significant opportunities for them.

He also noted that German investments in Kenya would create jobs and also help reducing the migration flows.

“All we’ll be looking at is how we can share the resources that we have with you, and how it can be mutually beneficial for both the German economy, and the Kenyan economy, for both the German people, and the Kenyan people,” he said.