Madrid  - The ongoing economic crisis will be deeper and last longer than had previously been thought, German President Horst Koehler warned Friday during an official visit to Spain.

"We do not want to kid ourselves or gloss over anything," Koehler said at the fifth German-Spanish Forum of politicians, business leaders and academics in the presence of King Juan Carlos on ending his two-day visit.

An honest analysis would make it possible to take appropriate action against soaring unemployment and other effects of the crisis, the president said.

The European Union had taken the right decision in adopting a common currency, but the euro was no substitute for necessary structural reforms in eurozone countries, Koehler explained.

Earlier on Friday, the German president toured Madrid's Prado art museum with Crown Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia.

On Thursday, Koehler discussed the economic crisis, bilateral and other questions with Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, and attended a dinner hosted by King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia.

Juan Carlos repeatedly expressed his condolences to Koehler over a school shooting which claimed 16 lives in the German town of Winnenden on Wednesday.

Koehler described the bloodbath staged by a 17-year-old boy as "incomprehensible."

"In our societies we need (to pay) more attention to each other, to watch and listen more," he said. (dpa)