欧洲各国领导人开始在布鲁塞尔举行2012年第一次峰会，目的是为各国政府设定新的开支上限，但同时也面临着欧洲经济困难的迹象。
比利时劳工星期一在一场大风雪中举行2005年以来的首次大罢工，抗议该国实施的紧缩政策。一些进出比利时的航班被取消，地面公共交通系统陷入瘫痪。
欧盟各国领导人试图达成一项协议，为欧洲各国政府控制开支作出具体计划，同时开始推动陷入停滞的欧洲经济。欧洲分析人士说，欧洲可能在今年上半年陷入适度衰退。
但外界对债务缠身的希腊的担忧仍然是首要问题。尽管雅典政府延长了与私营借贷方的谈判，但迄今为止还无法就减免一半债务达成协议。该协议可削减希腊所欠的1千300亿美元的债务，但有关该协议的谈判由于希腊对修订后债务支付的利息问题陷入僵局。
European leaders have started their first 2012 summit in Brussels, aiming to set new spending controls over individual governments, but also facing reminders of the continent's economic difficulties.
In a driving snowstorm, Belgian workers Monday staged the country's first general strike since 2005 to protest the austerity measures imposed in their country. Some flights were canceled into and out of the country, with public ground transportation services brought to a standstill.
The European Union heads of state are attempting to reach an accord on details of a plan to control spending across the continent, and at the same time to begin to boost the stalled European economy. Economic analysts say the continent could slide into a moderate recession in the first half of the year.
But concerns about debt-ridden Greece remained at the forefront as well. Despite extended negotiations with its private creditors, the Athens government has so far been unable to complete an agreement to cut in half the amount of money it owes them. That could reduce the Greek debt by $130 billion, but talks on the pact have snagged on the interest rate Greece would pay on the revised debt.