Merkel refutes Trump's criticism towards her refugee policy

German Chancellor Angela Merkel during news conference at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, January 16, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

BERLIN -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday refuted US President-elect Donald Trump's criticism towards her refugee policy.

"He(Trump) has recently reiterated his positions, which have been known for a while, mine are also known," Merkel said in response to Trump's labelling her refugee policy as a "catastrophic mistake."

When asked to comment on Trump's praise of "Brexit", Merkel said: "I think we Europeans hold our destiny in our own hands."

"I will continue to commit myself to ensure that the 27 member states' intensive and, above all, forward-looking cooperation," she said.

Merkel also stressed, however, "cooperation at all levels" with Trump after his inauguration.

In an interview with the Times of London and German newspaper Bild, Trump said Merkel had "catastrophic" policies on refugees and said NATO was "obsolete".