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dpa
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German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned of the dangers of rising nationalism in Germany on Friday during a regional meeting of her Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party.
"I believe we live in a time where conviction and taking a stance have become very important - so that we don't make false compromises, and we don't just look away,"she said at the regional party meeting in Neunkichen, a town in the south-western state of Saarland.
"There are a few basic questions that need to be answered very clearly,"Merkel said, beginning with the assumption that it would be better to remain isolated and not have to make any compromises.
"That's when prejudices emerge. Then prejudices are spoken. And the prejudices that are spoken will eventually become actions. That's why I can only say: defend from the beginning,"she said.
Soon there would be no survivors left from World War II, she added."Perhaps then we will really see, perhaps for the first time, whether we have learned from history."
Merkel also said Europe could no longer be taken for granted."If we want to represent our interests, then we can only do so in Europe. And that's why Europe needs to be protected, maintained and developed. Only if Europe continues to thrive will Germany continue to thrive,"she said.
She also warned against stereotypes."There are punctual and unpunctual Germans,"she said."We always have to start with the individual."
