Hollande Insists the Euro Crisis Is Over

If you close your eyes and wish hard enough ...

OSLO: French President Francois Hollande said Monday in Oslo that the eurozone crisis was "behind us," as he lauded work the European Union has done to "resolve the problems."

"The euro crisis, I've said it before, is behind us. We've given Greece the funds it was waiting for. In Spain we've helped keep the banks afloat. In Italy, even if there's political uncertainty, I'm sure the Italians will address it," Hollande told journalists in Oslo.

He spoke after the Nobel Peace Prize was presented to the European Union.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel was not so sure however, telling the broadcaster RTL in an Oslo interview: "I cannot lift the alert completely, I am a prudent optimist."