German chancellor calls for cooperative efforts in face of challenges

MUNICH, Germany - German Chancellor Angela Merkel called here on Saturday during her speech at the 53rd Munich Security Conference (MSC) for cooperative efforts to face challenges of a world without fixed order.

"The challenges of the world today can not be mastered by one state alone, it needs cooperative efforts," Merkel said, adding that multilateral institutions like UN, NATO and the EU must be strengthened.

Meanwhile, Merkel said that the international structures of the EU, for example, are not efficient enough. The structures must be made stronger and more resistant to crises.

Merkel also said that the EU can not take up the fight against global terrorism alone, the cooperation with the United States is "very important".

At the same time, Merkel called on Islamic religious authorities to speak "clear words on the demarcation of peaceful Islam and terrorism in the name of Islam."

Since its first gathering in 1963, the annual MSC, once dubbed a "transatlantic family gathering," has become an independent forum dedicated to promoting peaceful conflict resolution and international cooperation and dialogue.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also delivered a speech late Friday, articulating Chinese solutions to world challenges in front of over 300 participants.