Former German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt said Turkey’s possible European Union membership would be a big mistake, warning that Muslims may flock to Europe and asserting that they have difficulties adapting to German society.

Schmidt’s remarks are likely to add fuel to a heated debate over immigration in Germany. “Of course, I know that many Muslims have really adapted to the society. But I cannot forecast a positive development if the European Union presents membership to Turkey,” the former German chancellor stated.

Schmidt noted that if Turkey is accepted as an EU member, millions of Muslims will travel across Europe without restraint and fill European employment markets and social systems. “In this case, you could also add Algeria, Morocco, Lebanon and Syria to your future planning. We would bring disputes among Turks and Kurds to our European cities. This will be a big, wrong development,” Today’s Zaman cited Schmidt as saying