BERLIN, December 27 (Itar-Tass) — Minister of Economics and Technology Philipp Rosler called for liberalising visa formalities with Russia and Turkey.

In an interview with Saarbrucker Zeitung on Thursday, the minister said the restrictive visa policy “can cause damage to Germany as the centre for industry and have a negative impact on the country’s competitiveness”.

“In order to develop external trade and tourism it is necessary to give a signal to sincerity and readiness for a warm reception,” Rosler noted.

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle shared the minister’s position. “Germany lives due to export of its goods. We need measures, which will protect our interests in the field of security and which will not cause damage to our economic and political interests,” the German foreign minister said.