We welcome Belgium’s submission of its draft budgetary plan (DBP) for 2025 on 30 April 2025, following the submission of its medium-term fiscal structural plan on 18 March 2025, as well as the Commission Opinion on the DBP, published on 4 June 2025.
The Council is currently considering the Commission recommendation for the endorsement of Belgium’s medium-term fiscal structural plan, the Commission recommendation for a revised corrective path under the Excessive Deficit Procedure, and the Commission recommendation for the activation of the national escape clause, at the request of Belgium.
We agree with the Commission assessment that Belgium’s DBP for 2025 is considered to be in line with the provisions of the Stability and Growth Pact, subject to the activation by the Council of the national escape clause to accommodate higher defence spending. While the projected net expenditure growth in 2025 exceeds the ceiling set in Belgium’s medium-term fiscal structural plan, it remains within the flexibility provided by the national escape clause, based on the Commission forecast. We invite Belgium to stand ready to take action as necessary in line with the risks outlined in the Commission assessment and to deliver on its fiscal commitments.
The Eurogroup will continue to closely monitor economic and fiscal developments regularly and reinforce its policy coordination.