Davos, Switzerland (dpa) - The European Union must develop a stronger and more unified foreign policy, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said at the World Economic Forum on Wednesday. "We need to take more responsibility, we need to take our destiny into our own hands," Merkel said at the annual gathering of political and business leaders in the Swiss town of Davos.

 Facing challenges

In the face of threats from Islamic State extremists, crises in Africa and the war in Syria, the EU had been too hesitant. At the same time, Merkel warned that the EU should not close itself off to migration. "Ever since the Roman Empire, ever since the Chinese Wall, we know that only shutting yourself off doesn't help," the chancellor said, advocating international cooperation, development and adherence to global treaties.

Multilateral solutions

In a veiled rebuke to the isolationist trade policies of US President Donald Trump, Merkel said: "Protectionism is not the answer." Countries complaining about unfair trade relations should seek multilateral rather than unilateral solutions, she said.