Europe's future will depend to a large degree on Germany's approach to the migration crisis and other states should show more solidarity by jointly tackling this historic challenge, European Council President Donald Tusk said on Monday, November 9, according to Reuters.

Europe is grappling with its worst refugee crisis since World War Two and Germany so far has taken in the bulk of some one million people expected to arrive this year.

While Tusk has repeatedly stressed the urgency of tightening Europe's borders, Chancellor Angela Merkel has pushed for states to show solidarity and share responsibilities for refugees.

Merkel was initially celebrated at home and abroad for her welcoming approach to the refugees, many of whom are fleeing conflict in the Middle East. But as the flow has continued and German facilities have been stretched to the limit, the chancellor has come under increasing criticism.

Speaking in Berlin on the 26th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, Tusk described Germany and Merkel personally as examples of the best European values.

"Those who believe that Germany is too open, too tolerant, too liberal, forgot to do their homework about our tragic history," said Tusk, a former Polish prime minister.

"Do you want a Germany that is open, tolerant, compassionate, sympathizing with the weaker and the poorer, in other words the Germany of Angela Merkel, or a Germany which is closed, cold and ruthless? There is only one answer," he added.

Therefore, other European states should now show solidarity towards Germany "in these difficult and testing times", he said.

EU chief executive Jean-Claude Juncker has accused national leaders of sapping efforts to tackle the migration crisis by not honoring commitments on money and resources.