"I think that we have not done everything as it should be ... Opening the external borders, we did not think about their strengthening. Introducing a single currency, we were not ready for a crisis. But now we are correcting these mistakes thanks to the banking union and the stabilization mechanisms, "she said during her visit to Rome.

Merkel also expressed her confidence that the EU would be able to find an answer to the migration problem if all the member countries of the union "will contribute, based on their capabilities".

"We must ensure such conditions that people do not run from their countries, resolve crises like the Syrian crisis, and do it all together," Merkel added, Rosbalt reports referring to the Rai TV channel.

According to the Chancellor, the EU now "has a good base for completing what has been started," but this will require an "atmosphere of solidarity".

Earlier, Merkel stated that the European Union is "at a difficult and very troubling stage of development". According to her, Europe faced such serious challenges as globalization and economic dynamics, climate protection and the fight against terrorism, as well as the migration crisis.