It is a strong financial institution in the country, which deserves special attention,” Lázár said. “Raiffeisen may be in a different situation, and we would like to agree with them as well on their future,” he added.

Reuters news agency reported that Raiffeisen Bank International informed them on Thursday that it was not in discussions with Hungary’s government. Lázár reiterated in the interview that it was not the government’s aim to create a system of state-owned banks but to raise the share of the sector in Hungarian hands to 50-70%.

He added that MKB Bank and Budapest Bank would be sold in a transparent manner within three years. Speaking about the planned upgrade of the Paks nuclear power plant, Lázár acknowledged the possibility of withdrawing from the project, but said that was not the aim, noting that to do so would be costly.

He said the Paks project would likely end up being implemented as part of an international consortium. “I hope the Russians will grant deals to Western European suppliers as well ...”

Source www.hungarymatters.hu

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MTI photo: Mohai Balázs