ZAGREB, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who was attending the congress of the European People's Party (EPP) here on Wednesday, said that she was committed to preserving the Schengen area.

"The challenges are big, we have experience with refugees and migrants, but the perspective of a country that protects its external borders is different than that of a country in the middle of Schengen. That is why I am in favor of preserving Schengen," Merkel said after meeting with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic.

The German chancellor said that "new" and "old" member states are a "convenient mix" that will revive the European Union (EU).

She recognized Croatia's efforts to enter the Schengen area.

Merkel called for further enlargement of the EU and she also said that she was ready to discuss the issues that should be changed in the negotiation methodology.

The EPP congress in Croatia is attended by heads of state and government and senior officials from European center-right parties. Over 2,000 delegates from 40 countries discuss a climate action plan, youth policies and the Western Balkans.