Brussels, 15/09/2014 (Agence Europe) - The Belgian Planning Bureau has estimated at 47,000 the number of jobs which will not materialise between now and 2017 as a result of the budgetary trajectory forecast in the economic recommendations to Belgium enshrined by the European Council, the Belgian newspapers De Standaard and Het Nieuwsblad report. They do not go into details on the calculations used to reach this figure, but refer to the efforts to achieve structural equilibrium in 2016 and a structural surplus of 0.75% by 2017. When questioned further, the Planning Bureau explained that the study was not yet complete. The Commission has declined to comment. In an open letter published in the Wall Street Journal on 11 September, the Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs, Jyrki Katainen, argued that healthy public finances are a prerequisite for sustainable growth and job creation. The Commission has always recognised that consolidation could have a short-term negative impact and calls for a “growth-friendly” budgetary adjustment. Belgium is furthermore one of eleven countries which have been advised to cut tax on employment to boost job creation. The country has until 15 October to submit its reform plan for the Commission's assessment. After the elections of 25 May, negotiations to form a government are still ongoing. The Commission appears to have decided to wait until it receives a copy from a government in place and in a position to make real decisions. (EL)