| Updated:
Hungary close to ending EU row
■ The EU will not take Hungary to court to resolve a row over a central bank law that has frozen aid talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), it emerged yesterday, fuelling optimism that Budapest may be nearer a deal to stabilise the country’s economy. Signs of progress came as Prime Minister Viktor Orban said that obstacles to Hungary’s financial aid have been “practically removed”. The EU’s executive, at odds with Orban over his overhaul of the Hungarian constitution, halted talks on an IMF loan in December, citing legislation the EU believes undermines the independence of Hungary’s central bank. Hungary’s forint firmed over one per cent after Orban’s comments.