On Thursday, the United Kingdom held a referendum to determine whether or not the country should leave the European Union. According to the final results, 51.9 percent of voters, or 17.4 million people, decided to support Brexit, while about 16.1 million opposed it.
"This [Brexit] is a blow to Europe and European unity," Merkel said.
Merkel said that Germany has "special interest and special responsibility" in European unity.
She added that Europe shouldn't draw "quick and simple" conclusions from the vote that would further increase EU's division.
The German chancellor said that she deeply regrets over the results of the UK referendum.
Future relations between the EU and Britain should be based on partnership, Merkel said.
Merkel said that she invited European Council President Donald Tusk, French President Francois Hollande and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi to discuss Brexit on Monday.
