German Chancellor Angela Merkel called the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union "an unhappy event."

UK’s exit made a "dent" in the European Union and the bloc will try to limit its damage, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Monday.

"The UK’s departure is a dent in the European Union, an unhappy event. We want to limit the damage," Merkel told reporters as she reiterated her call for unity among the remaining 27 member nations.

The chancellor was flanked by the Slovakian and Czech prime ministers, Robert Fico and Bohuslav Sobotka, who came to Berlin for talks on urgent EU-related issues, including opportunities for "more cohesion" and competitiveness of the European Union.

London triggered last week the official "divorce" process with the European Union, shortly after the bloc celebrated its 60th anniversary. European Council President Donald Tusk said Brussels would focus on reducing damage to the union during the Brexit talks.