On December 16 2010, European heads of government solemnly declared that they were “ready to do whatever is required” to protect the eurozone. Words are cheap. Sceptics may wonder whether to take them seriously. In this case, they should. The eurozone is highly likely to survive, albeit not without further turbulence. I would advance three arguments: first, the eurozone is backed by a profound political commitment; second, the long-term interests of participating countries are behind it; and, finally, the members can afford it. In short, the eurozone has the will and the wherewithal to keep the euro experiment afloat.
2010年12月16日，欧洲各国首脑郑重宣示，他们“准备不惜一切代价”捍卫欧元区。话是不值钱的。持怀疑态度的人们可能揣测此话能否当真。在这个问题上，他们应该当真。尽管免不了会经历更多动荡，但欧元区很可能继续存在下去。我认为理由有三：首先，深远的政治承诺支撑着欧元区；其次，欧元区的存在符合成员国的长远利益；最后，成员国能够承受相关代价。简言之，欧元区有意志也有办法继续进行欧元实验。