The Hungarian Embassy in Washington reports that Tamás Fellegi – minister without portfolio responsible for liaising with international financial organisations – started negotiations with the International Monetary Fund on Monday in Washington DC.

During the week the minister will have several meetings with leading figures in the IMF, and will meet Christine Lagarde, managing director of the Fund on Thursday.

As part of his programme, Mr. Fellegi is also meeting officials from the US Department of State. Ferenc Karvalits (Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Hungary) and Gyula Pleschinger, (Minister of State at the Ministry of National Economy) are in the delegation conducting preparatory negotiations and clarification of issues. In its press release, the Hungarian Embassy to Washington said that the government is cooperating with the National Bank of Hungary, and respects and guarantees its independence.

(MTI)