Dutch CEOs sound alarm on euro crisis

Chief executive officers of five major Dutch companies on Friday issued a warning on the danger of the euro crisis for the Netherlands and Europe. In an open letter published in Dutch newspaper Het Financieele Dagblad, the business leaders called on politicians to act "decisively and courageously." "It's one minute to midnight and it is therefore of utmost importance that in the short term, there will be a decisive approach of the euro crisis," said the letter signed by Hans Wijers (Akzo Nobel), Frans van Houten (Philips), Paul Polman (Unilever), Feike Sijbesma (DSM) and Peter Voser (Shell). "That's the best way to restore confidence in a strong and united Europe." The political measures should lead to short-term recovery of the monetary and financial stability and achieve medium-term competitiveness and growth potential of the economy, the executives said. "We must focus on measures for the Netherlands and Europe to be more competitive on the world," the letter said. The entrepreneurs decided to compose the letter during their meeting last week. "When we spoke to each other last week, one of us said: 'Imagine it will go wrong with Europe, and our children later ask whether we have done enough. Can we say yes?' Due to this concern and above all our commitment to the future of Europe and the Netherlands, we want our voice to be heard," the CEOs said.