German Chancellor Angela Merkel said it was urgently necessary for Europe to reform the open-border Schengen area in light of recent terrorist attacks.

“I want to mention the entry-exit system in the Schengen area, which should be ready in 2022. It is vitally necessary to know who comes in and who leaves the Schengen area”, - she said after a meeting with other European leaders on Tuesday.

Europe wants to keep its borders open but wants to better protect its external borders, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday. He was speaking at a news conference after talks on the fight against Islamist extremism.