“The decision (to held talks in Brussels) is linked to the political context, the elections campaign, with both sides understanding the discussion should not be used for political purposes, as they are rather technical,” government sources told MEDIAFAX.
“The IMF chooses to not get involved in internal policies during pre-elections periods, but the review was needed.”
An IMF team was in Bucharest in June to assess Romania’s progress under a EUR2 billion precautionary loan deal, but it left after it failed to reach an agreement with the Romanian authorities on a planned five-percentage point cut in the social security tax rate.
While review talks in Bucharest generally lasted 10 to 14 days, the meetings in Brussels will take place from next Tuesday to Friday (Sept 16-19).
The Romanian government will be represented by ministers, with Premier Victor Ponta expected to attend the last round of talks, on September 19, the sources said. Mugur Isarescu, the central bank governor, and two deputy governors will also meet the officials of the international financial institutions. However, the Romanian President and representatives of the political parties and of trade unions are not scheduled to meet the IMF.
The IMF team will be headed by Andrea Schaechter, Istvan Szekely will represent the European Commission, while the World Bank will be represented by Elisabetta Capanelli, country manager for Romania and Hungary.