BERLIN, Oct 14 Reuters - German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned of the divide in the European Union and issued a plea for unity across the continent, speaking at an award ceremony speech in Spain on Thursday.
The central forces in the EU have been working for several years now, Merkel said after receiving the Carlos V award, saying that such dividing powers arise when the EU fails to fulfill its promises and social and economic differences are allowed to grow too large.
Europe is only as united as it is strong, she said.
Without naming names, Merkel, who is set to give up the chancellor role after 16 years once a new German government has formed, added that the EU would be in trouble if national interests were put above mutual success.
Poland's top court has recently challenged https: www.reuters.com. com world europe will give-firm- answer-polish - court ruling - EU decision - eu-top diplomat - 2021 -- 10 -- 12 the prime of EU law, fuelling talk that Poland could one day abandon the 27 - nation bloc.
Unity is also essential when confronting powers outside the EU, Merkel said.
How much does Europe have to do to deal with China's rise as an economic, political and military power depends very much on whether they speak with one voice, Merkel said.