Berlin - An association of Turkish communities in Germany announced Tuesday that it is dissatisfied that the new German government set to be sworn in on Wednesday has no plans to set up a separate ministry for integration issues.

The association, one of several representing people in German who have Turkish roots, goes by the initials TGD and says it represents the interests of around 2.3 million people.

The current practice splits the responsibility for integrating Germany's sizeable Turkish community among various ministries - a configuration that does not work, TGD Chairman Kenan Kolat said.

Additionally, the new government - a coalition of incumbent Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats and the free market Free Democrats - did not expand the powers or budget of a special federal appointee for integration projects, said Kolat.

Also unsatisfactory, says the TGD, is the new coalition government's stance that European Union talks on admission for Turkey should be open-ended. Turks in Germany had expected a "real perspective" on eventual admissions, said TGD Vice-Chairman Hilmi Kaya Turan.

Nevertheless, the TGD said it was generally satisfied with the new government coalition. For example, says Kolat, the new coalition's mission statement never once uses the phrase "foreigner."

"That's already a major advance, moving away from that phrase," said Kolat.

Other highlights of the coalition statement, according to TGD, are plans to make it easier to recognize education gained overseas, which will help many Turks get their prior studies recognized in Germany.

Still, he said, Germany has to work on creating a more "welcoming culture." (dpa)