There are no pre-conditions for the start of negotiations on a financial assistance package with the International Monetary Fund and the European Union; the Hungarian government stands ready, so the talks could start anytime, government spokesman Andras Giro-Szasz said on public television early Friday.

Mr Giro-Szasz stressed that the amendment of legislation to which the EU has objected is not a pre-condition for the start of the negotiations.

He dismissed speculation that Hungary’s flat-rate tax system could be a condition for the credit, saying the issue had “not even come up” with the EU, adding that the IMF had given credit to four countries with flat-rate tax regimes – including two EU members – in the last 2-3 years.