Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called on Turkish citizens living in France to apply for dual citizenship and be integrated with the French society, but also stay loyal to their roots, especially their language and religion, Hurriyet Daily News reported.
"There are 620,000 Turkish citizens living in France," he said while addressing the Union of European Turkish Democrats, or UETD, in Lyon June 21. "Why don't they apply for dual citizenship?" he asked.
"You should use your legal rights. It is something you will benefit from, it has no harm. Who ever tells the opposite, does not willing a good thing for you," the prime minister said.
Social integration was among the issues discussed by Erdoğan and French President Francois Hollande at a Paris meeting on June 20.
Erdogan advised Turks in France not to forget about their French citizenship. "Feel proud of your identity. Particularly do not forget or let forget your language and beliefs. France needs people like you," he said. "Do not become assimilated and let our kids be assimilated."
Erdoğan requested from Turkish citizens in the country also go to the ballots to vote in Turkey's presidential elections on August 10.
The European Union needs Turkey in its struggle against Islamophobia and racism, the prime minister said.
Erdogan also retreated his call for families to pave at least three kids. "If you want five, that is OK also," he said.