Economy of Belgium force. One of the founding members of the European Community, Belgium strongly supports deepening the powers of the present-day European Union to integrate European economies further. About three-quarters of its trade is with other EU countries. Together with the Netherlands and Luxembourg, Belgium is also one of Benelux member states. Belgium's public debt is about 105% of GDP. The government succeeded in balancing its budget during the 2000–2008 period, and income distribution is relatively equal. Belgium began circulating the euro currency in January 2002. Economic growth and foreign direct investment dropped in 2008. In 2009 Belgium suffered negative growth and
Luxembourg wine of produce were now consumed domestically, while the rest was exported, mostly to Belgium. The Moselle area was the only region of the country which had opted for Belgium over France as an economic partner in the referendum of 1919. During 1983-1987, 57% of produce was exported, four-fifths of this to Belgium. All official wine designations in Luxembourg are French language terms. One single appellation is used for all of Luxembourg: "Moselle Luxembourgeoise". This designation, usually referred to as the "Marque Nationale" (national seal), indicates that the wine is made entirely from Luxembourgian grapes and fulfills certain requirements. The "Marque