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 in the Eurovision Song Contest 1987 Luxembourg in the Eurovision Song Contest 1987 After coming third in the 1986 contest with "L'amour de ma vie" sung by Sherisse Stevens, Luxembourg entered the Eurovision Song Contest 1987, held in Brussels, Belgium. Plastic Bertrand had given the rights of his song "Amour Amour" (Love, Love) to the Luxembourgish broadcaster RTL Télévision in the hope of entering the Eurovision Song Contest for Luxembourg. RTL selected him to represent Luxembourg at the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest in Brussels. Plastic Bertrand sang 13th on the night of the contest, following the Netherlands and preceding the United Kingdom. He received 4 points,