歐盟試圖控制開支，應對希臘債務問題

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.歐洲各國領導人開始在布魯塞爾舉行2012年第一次峯會，目的是爲各國政府設定新的開支上限，但同時也面臨着歐洲經濟困難的跡象。

比利時勞工星期一在一場大風雪中舉行2005年以來的首次大罷工，抗議該國實施的緊縮政策。一些進出比利時的航班被取消，地面公共交通系統陷入癱瘓。

歐盟各國領導人試圖達成一項協議，爲歐洲各國政府控制開支作出具體計劃，同時開始推動陷入停滯的歐洲經濟。歐洲分析人士說，歐洲可能在今年上半年陷入適度衰退。

但外界對債務纏身的希臘的擔憂仍然是首要問題。儘管雅典政府延長了與私營借貸方的談判，但迄今爲止還無法就減免一半債務達成協議。該協議可削減希臘所欠的1千300億美元的債務，但有關該協議的談判由於希臘對修訂後債務支付的利息問題陷入僵局。