BERLIN, June 16 (Xinhua) -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday reiterated the need for an European Union (EU)-level solution to illegal asylum seekers.
"Migration is a big challenge. It's also a European challenge that needs a European answer. And I consider this topic one of the crucial for the cohesion of Europe," said Merkel in her weekly podcast video.
Merkel and German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer have been in a dispute over the immigration policy, as Seehofer wants to tighten Germany's border controls and turn back undocumented asylum seekers on the borders, while Merkel insists on seeking a European solution to illegal immigration at the EU summit set for late the month.
Named the "German-French momentum for Europe," Merkel's podcast speech released before Merkel's meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday in Meseberg, outside Berlin, to prepare for the summit.
Seehofer threatened to bypass Merkel to push through his plan, which will result in a government crisis, as Merkel's coalition government will lack majority without the support from Seehofer-led Bavaria-only Christian Social Union.
Merkel said in the podcast that Germany and France will answer four major challenges, including EU common foreign, defense and security policy, immigration, future development of economic and monetary union, and innovation.
