BEL
Stories (5)
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Summary: - Belgium’s economy has shown resilience to shocks but faces a slowing growth path, persistent core inflation, and sluggish productivity. Labor-cost competitiveness is weakening as wage growth outpaces productivity, and structural deficits and public debt have risen. - Near-term policy needs: disinflation with growth and financial stability, while rebuilding fiscal buffers and addressing aging-related and green-transition spending pressures. The new federal governmen
2026-05-24Belgium's Foreign Trade and Development Goals
Summary: The page outlines Belgium’s Foreign Affairs policy framework, focusing on how the country conducts international cooperation across trade, development, peace and security, and economic diplomacy. Key points include: - Multilateral and international engagement: Belgium emphasizes a multilateral approach to global challenges, representing Belgium in international organizations and coordinating European policy through the Directorate-General Coordination and European Af
2026-05-24Belgian Foreign Policy: Peace and Security
Summary: - Event: A conference at the Belgian Federal Parliament (October 20) organized by IPIS and Search for Common Ground on Belgium’s peace and security policy. - Core idea: Belgian foreign policy should balance defense, diplomacy, development (the 3Ds) and increasingly include dialogue (a proposed 4th D) to strengthen resilience and international leadership. - Key themes: - Strengthening resilience and defense while preserving soft power, human rights, and democratic
2026-05-24Belgian Minister Advocates EU Economic Sovere
Belgian Economy Minister David Clarinval advocates European economic sovereignty to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness. Key points: - Four “pillars” of sovereignty: industry, energy, defense, and agriculture; Europe must control these to avoid vulnerability and ensure state autonomy. - Europe’s current position seen as behind rivals (US, China) but doors opening for a paradigm shift toward stronger competitiveness in business, digital, and defence. - Economic measures to off
2026-05-24Belgium Orders 11 F-35 Jets for NATO Defense
Belgium unveils a comprehensive defense overhaul to bolster NATO deterrence and shift from low-intensity missions. Key points: - 11 additional F-35A fighters ordered (€1.67B), boosting future fleet to 45 jets; full operational status targeted by early 2031. - Ground and air defenses expanded: 10 NASAMS air-defense batteries (€2B) plus a second long-range layer (€2B) with integration with Dutch systems; new depots and mobilization upgrades to improve NATO mobility. - Naval ex
2026-05-24