US President Barack Obama continues his farewell tour in Europe, and on Sunday, he met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Hannover.

The two leaders discussed a wide range of issues with a focus on Europe's refugee crisis and the big trade pact, the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, between the US and the EU.

HANNOVER, April 24, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Visiting U.S. President Barack Obama (front R) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel (front L) attend a welcome ceremony in Hannover, Germany, on April 24, 2016. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)

The two leaders defended the disputed deal and said they hoped agreement could be reached this year.

The German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke of turbulent times of European continent after its bilateral meeting with US president Barack Obama here in Hannover.

Not least the ongoing refugee crisis that this continent is continuing to struggle to cope with. President Obama was at pains to give his backing to Chancellor Merkel and her approach to the crisis, saying in his view she was on the right side of history.

During this meeting that lasts a couple of hours, they discuss a range of issues related to battle this refugee crisis. From Lybia to Syria even far away as Afganistan as well.

The talks moving forward now, are expected to focus more on the economic front.

Specifically, the big trade pact between the European Union and the United States ongoing negotiations to try and complete that trade deal.

There were large protest here on Saturday against the completion of that deal. But in the last few hours we've seen both leaders here put farward their case for why that deal should be completed before the end of Obama's tenure in January 2017. 

Now Obama spoke about the benefits to some of Europe's poorest states such as Spain, Italy, Greece...countries he said would benefit from this kind of deal.

Angela Merkel, the Chancellor, also spoke of how there was needs to define the standards of international trade through this deal. Both leaders think of the view that if this deal is not completed, that Europe particularly will be left behind.

HANNOVER, April 24, 2016 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama (L) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel attend a press conference in Hannover, Germany, April 24, 2016. Barack Obama arrived in Hannover on April 24. He will attend the opening ceremony of Hannover industrial fair and hold talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)