Former Dutch finance minister Hans Hoogervorst says he believes the euro experiment has failed.

In an interview with a Dutch television programme, scheduled for broadcast on 11 December 2011, the former finance chief said it would have been better if the European single currency had never been introduced.

"If we had known in advance what sort of enormous problems we were going to get into, then I don't think anyone with an ounce of sense would have considered the euro," he said.

Earlier today, Mr Hoogervorst appeared before the De Wit commission, which is investigating the crisis in the Eurozone. In his testimony, the former finance minister said it was entirely possible that the problems within the Eurozone are too extensive to solve.

(jric/mw)

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