Economy Commissioner to meet Hungarian negotiator next week

(BRUSSELS) - EU economic affairs chief Olli Rehn will hold talks with Hungarian negotiator Tamas Fellegi next week to discuss a request for financial aid and a disputed central bank law, an EU spokesman said Tuesday.

The meeting, amid European Commission concerns over Hungary's controversial constitutional reforms, will take place in Brussels on January 20, Rehn's spokesman, Amadeu Altafaj, told a news briefing.

"A wide range of issues will be discussed," Altafaj said.

Hungary is seeking a new European Union and IMF bailout worth 15-20 billion euros ($20-25 billion) after is currency dropped sharply, but preliminary negotiations were suspended last month over EU concerns about the bank law.

The aid request and the central bank law, which critics say erodes the institution's independence, will be part of the discussions, Altafaj said.

The spokesman also noted that the European Commission is to review measures taken by Hungary to reduce its public deficit, which exceeds EU limits.

Fellegi has been in Washington for talks with the IMF that began on Monday.