Angela Merkel

Angela Merkel has warned Turkey's president that the reintroduction of the death would be incompatible with Turkey's goal of EU membership.

The German chancellor told Recep Tayyip Erdogan reintroducing the death penalty was "in no way compatible" with his country's plans to join the EU, a spokeswoman for the chancellor said.

The comments come as Mr Erdogan contemplates capital punishment for those behind the failed coup attempt in Turkey.

Turkey abolished capital punishment in 2004, allowing it to open EU accession talks the following year, but the negotiations have made little progress since then.

Angela Merkel says she is shocked by "mass murder in Nice" as she promised to stand by France's side in the fight against terrorism.

"All of us who have come together at the ASEM summit are united in our feeling of disbelief at the attack of mass murder in Nice," the German chancellor said on the sidelines of a major summit between Asian and European leaders in Mongolia.

"Germany stands in the fight against terrorism at France's side, united with many, many others.

"I am convinced that, despite all the difficulties, we shall win this fight."

Action must be taken to prevent other countries from fleeing the EU, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said.

Speaking at a Christian Democratic Union party executive board meeting, Ms Merkel said the financial markets are very concerned that the EU is no longer governable.

She added that all 27 remaining EU countries must consult together on the way forward following Britain's vote to leave the bloc.

However, Ms Merkel maintained that it is not the right time to pursue a quick deepening of cooperation between eurozone member states.

Instead, the EU should act on popular concerns such as securing the bloc's borders, creating jobs and improving internal security, she said.

Angela Merkel has announced she is pushing "for the establishment of special security zones in Syria" to be set up near the border with Turkey so that refugees have somewhere where they can find shelter.

Speaking at a press conference today the German Chancellor said: "I have ... again demanded that we have zones where the ceasefire is particularly enforced and where a significant level of security can be guaranteed."

Merkel's comments came shortly after she visited a migrant camp on the Syrian-Turkish border where she inspected conditions and spoke to people living there.

Angela Merkel's conservatives have lost out in two out of three regional elections as Germans gave the thumbs down to her "open door" migrant policy.

The defeat was the worst case scenario for the Chancellor, who staked her legacy on her decision last year to let in over one million migrants.

Anti-immigration group Alternative for Germany (AfD) made gains after the poor showing of support for Merkel's Christian Democrats.

AfD chief Frauke Petry said: "We have fundamental problems in Germany that led to this election result."

The result is a setback for Merkel just as she is trying to use her status as Europe's most powerful leader to seal an EU deal with Turkey to stem the tide of migrants.

Addressing a rally in Baden-Wuerttemberg on Saturday, Merkel defended her decision saying: "There are situations in life - and this was the case last autumn - when you can't hold a long debate on principles.

"People are suddenly there and need protection", she added.