Romania Fin Min Dismisses Talks About New IMF Loan

„The topic in not on the talks agenda at this point,” Vladescu told reporters.

In a separate news conference Tuesday, Prime Minister Emil Boc confirmed talks about a new loan between the government and the IMF are non-existent.

Romanian authorities and the International Monetary Fund are discussing a possible new loan to the eastern European country, the head of Romanian employers’ confederation UGIR-1903 said Tuesday, citing talks with IMF mission chief Jeffrey Franks.

„Franks admitted talks are ongoing (…), including about a loan,” said Cezar Coraci, president of UGIR-1903.

On Monday, Franks said the IMF and Romanian government are bound to discuss about continuing their relationship sometime in the future, adding that the authorities in Bucharest have voiced interest in a new collaboration.

However, discussions about a new loan agreement are premature at this point, Franks said.

Joint missions from the IMF and the EU will be in Bucharest until August 4 for a new review of Romania’s progress under a EUR20 billion aid package signed early last year.

Following the mission, the IMF will decide whether to disburse a sixth loan tranche to Romania, worth around EUR900 million.