Germany wants EU to make progress on a common asylum system: Angela Merkel

Berlin, February 18: German Chancellor Angela Merkel wants the European Union to make progress on a common asylum system, warning that member states who expect financial support from the bloc need to show solidarity when it comes to migrants too.

Merkel said in a video address Saturday before next week's informal meeting of EU leaders that the issue is one of her priorities and she hopes it can be advanced by June.

Germany has taken in over 1 million people seeking shelter from war and persecution in recent years, putting a heavy strain on the country's budget and boosting an anti-migrant party.

While some other European countries, such as Sweden, Greece and Italy, have also borne a heavy load, several EU members in the east refuse to take in large numbers of migrants.

Recently British Prime Minister Theresa May was on the visit to Berlin with the aim to hold talks on European Union. This proves as a sign that she wants to discuss Britain’s and the Union’s future relationship with Germany’s leader Angela Merkel.

The German Chancellor said Brexit talks are under 'time pressure' and agreements had to be put in place to keep planes flying and allow cross-border healthcare to continue.

And Merkel said Germany has not changed its position on Britain leaving the EU, saying 'we deplore it'.