History of the Netherlands The post-war years saw rapid economic recovery (helped by the American Marshall Plan), followed by the introduction of a welfare state during an era of peace and prosperity. The Netherlands formed a new economic alliance with Belgium and Luxembourg, the Benelux, and all three became founding members of the European Union and NATO. In recent decades, the Dutch economy has been closely linked to that of Germany, and is highly prosperous. The four countries adopted the Euro on 1 January 2002, along with eight other EU member states. The prehistory of the area that is now the Netherlands was largely
Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest 1974 given, or just the winner announced. On the night of the final Hustin performed 11th in the running order, following Monaco and preceding the Netherlands. The voting system tried between 1971 and 1973 was abandoned, and for 1974 returned to the previous system of ten jury members in each country awarding one vote each. At the close of the voting "Fleur de liberté" had received 10 points (5 from Greece, 3 from Luxembourg and 2 from Norway), placing Belgium 9th of the 17 competing entries. Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest 1974 Belgium was represented by Jacques Hustin, with the