Merkel stresses the need to set the situation with refugees in the Mediterranean under control

"We have to set the situation in the Mediterranean, and the situation between Greece and Turkey, under better control. We have to efficiently confront the gangs of traffickers. We also have to intensify the discussion with Turkey as from Turkey they can reach Hungary, Austria and Germany," she noted during the Federal Parliament (Bungestag) meeting on 2016 budget.

Merkel also referred to her talks with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. "I spoke yesterday on the phone with the Turkish Prime Minister and we will continue the discussions. On one hand we must say that Turkey has recently taken a very big responsibility. And this may be considered self-evident and we thought that it will continue that way. On the other hand, however, we must achieve a reasonable cooperation with Turkey on the issue of refugees."

The German Chancellor said that the issue should constitute a European responsibility, adding that this responsibility will be continuous and great. "But Germany will meet the challenge. And it should be a model for the European Union," she said.