Appel: Europe can't prepare for a euro collapse From Richard Quest, CNN February 2, 2012 -- Updated 1815 GMT (0215 HKT) The Deutsche Post DHL CEO says Europe can't really prepare for the collapse of the euro But Frank Appel believes a fracture of the eurozone is unlikely Appel says he's cautious about over-planning for scenarios such as a Greek default (CNN) -- The boss of logistics giant Deutsche Post DHL says Europe "cannot really prepare" for the ultimate failure of its debt crisis plans: A collapse of the common currency. Frank Appel, speaking to CNN as crucial negotiations between Greece and its creditors drag on, believes a fracture of the eurozone is unlikely. But -- after almost two years of tapping the bloc's piggy bank and implementing harsh austerity measures across the region -- unpredictability reigns. "You have to think how you can prepare a company for the uncertain," he says. Appel says he is cautious about over-planning for scenarios such as a Greek default. "If you think your Excel spread-sheet will tell you what will happen in the future, it will only distract you from what is really important -- to be ready to take action," he says. "We know certain things only if they happen and then you need the right mindsets to change your behavior, to be flexible," he adds. That has something to do with your readiness to learn and correct mistakes. Appel runs one of the world's biggest employers, with Deutsche Post DHL now operating in 220 countries and with 470,000 staff. Despite the uncertainty Appel, one of the region's most respected CEOs, believes Europe's future remains bright. He points to high education levels, stable democracies and innovative thinking, adding: "We don't have to be shy and think others are smarter or better than we are. We have all the power we need to grow our region as well, as long as we accept that there might be some hardship at the beginning. And the good news for the logistics industry, Appel notes, is that "even if the euro would not be around, just for the sake of argument, somebody still has to deliver letters, somebody has to deliver parcels and somebody has to deliver or transport containers around the world." CNN's Emily Smith contributed to this story. January 13, 2012 -- Updated 1702 GMT (0102 HKT) Just one decade after the European single currency was launched amid fanfare and fireworks, its future is very much in doubt. January 16, 2012 -- Updated 1502 GMT (2302 HKT) Unlike Greece and Italy, Hungary does not use the euro single currency -- but it is afflicted by similar debt problems. January 14, 2012 -- Updated 1156 GMT (1956 HKT) Markets have again taken heed of the latest ratings agency warnings. But why do S&P and others wield such influence? European markets have been given a final-hour fright upon reports of an imminent downgrade for eurozone countries by ratings agency S&P. January 13, 2012 -- Updated 1048 GMT (1848 HKT) The European Union is "shooting itself in the foot" by keeping Turkey at bay, the country's Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek says. January 13, 2012 -- Updated 1549 GMT (2349 HKT) Why Germany is committed to the euro, and prepared to go to great lengths to protect it. December 7, 2011 -- Updated 1803 GMT (0203 HKT) Bamboozled by eurozone debt crisis jargon? CNN is here to help you tell your defaults from your haircuts. January 13, 2012 -- Updated 1523 GMT (2323 HKT) Europe's leaders are battling to keep the eurozone and EU together, despite a crisis that threatens to split partnerships forged over decades. November 30, 2011 -- Updated 2340 GMT (0740 HKT) CNN's Christine Romans on how the Federal Reserve, ECB and other central banks made it cheaper for banks to borrow. January 30, 2012 -- Updated 1715 GMT (0115 HKT) European leaders have thrashed out a deal aimed at ending months of uncertainty over the euro's future and resolving the debt crisis.