IMF talks delegate says negotiations may begin in January

Negotiations with the IMF could begin in January rather than before Christmas as earlier reported, parliamentary Economy and IT Committee Chairman Antal Rogan, said on a television program on Thursday.
One of Hungary’s announced delegates for talks with the International Monetary Fund, Mr Rogan said that "significant negotiations with the International Monetary Fund could perhaps begin at the beginning of January," adding that the government is currently in talks with the IMF regarding meeting dates.
Also speaking on the program, Prime Ministerial Spokesman Peter Szijjarto said that the government had decided to appoint National Development Minister Tamas Fellegi to lead Hungary’s delegation in negotiations with the International Monetary Fund due to the fact that external economic factors had made the talks with the IMF necessary.
"External economic circumstances led us to initiate talks with the IMF, and external economic questions ... belong to the national development minister according to the division of governmental duties. This is why the government decided that the national development minister should lead the delegation," Mr Szijjarto stated.
Government Spokesman Andras Giro-Szasz announced on Wednesday that Mr Felligi, not National Economy Minister Gyorgy Matolcsy, would lead Hungary’s delegation in talks with the IMF.
The delegation will also include Mr Rogan and State Secretary for Financial Affairs Gyula Pleschinger.
The National Economy Ministry announced on November 17 that Hungary would seek financial assistance from the IMF as a precautionary measure. Mr Matolcsy told MTI on November 18 that the talks could start before Christmas and wind up at the end of January or in February.
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