Romania's PM says talks with IMF over new loan to start on January 20

Discussions between Romanian authorities and the International Monetary Fund on a potential new loan agreement will begin on January 20, said Prime Minister Emil Boc Sunday on ProTV. A delegation of experts from the European Commission and IMF will return to Bucharest on January 20, said Boc. He added that no figures have been put forward yet and the new deal, if one is signed, will likely be a frame-agreement aiming to prevent Romania's possible future economic failures. Romania and the IMF last year signed a EUR12.95 billion two-year standby agreement, as part of a larger EUR19.95 billion package which includes funds from the EU, the World Bank and other foreign lenders. Mediafax