European Union countries have the right to take measures at the national level to strengthen their economies, but more solidarity is needed to avoid "fragmentation," European Commissioner for the Economy Paolo Gentiloni said, Reuters reported.

“We are not blaming countries, we are not discussing the fact that single countries and member states, inevitably, are supporting their economies,” he said on his arrival at a meeting in Luxembourg of EU Finance ministers.

“”But if we want to avoid fragmentation, if we want to face this crisis, I think we need a higher level of solidarity and we need to put in place (...) common tools,” Gentiloni added.

In recent days, Germany has been criticized by some countries and EU institutions for unilaterally announcing a support package of 200 billion euros for its companies and households struggling with huge increases in energy prices.