"I think it is a milestone that the federal cabinet has passed a law on integration," Merkel told reporters at a press conference in Meseberg north of Berlin, as quoted by national broadcaster Deutschlandfunk.
Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel, Merkel’s coalition partner from Social Democrats, described the decision as the first step toward a law on immigration. It still needs support of the national parliament.
The draft law, dubbed the Meseberg Statement by the government’s press office, puts emphasis on mandatory integration courses and the studying of the German language.
Refugees will be fairly shared out through special "residence assignments" to avoid segregation, and communities that prove to be especially helpful will be awarded a National Integration Prize.
The legislation seeks to make it easier for immigrants to access the German job market, including creating 100,000 additional jobs with federal funds. The government also plans to streamline the process of changing asylum laws.
