Brussels, 21/06/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 21 June, the Hungarian government unveiled a new version of its central bank law (MNB) which it says meets requirements of the EU and the IMF, from which it is trying to get a €15 billion loan. The new law will be discussed from 25 June onwards. The Hungarian economy minister, György Matolcsy, says he hopes the vote will take place on 2 July. MPs withdrew a previous version of the law, which the European Central Bank said did not do enough to ensure the MNB's independence. The new version says that there can be up to nine people on the monetary council, compared with the current seven, including the chairperson. The current configuration will not change until the end of Andras Simor's term of office next year, when the Hungarian parliament would be allowed to appoint two extra individuals, along with a third in reserve. The new law gives members of the monetary council, which sets interest rate policy, greater ability to make appeals against dismissal. It removes the participation of a member of the government at the monetary policy meetings. In a press release, the head of the MNB said the Hungarian government has accepted all the suggestions from international institutions that were raised during previous talks and presented as preconditions for the start of formal talks on financial aid. The Hungarian government hopes the new law will allow talks with the EU and IMF to begin in the next few weeks. (SP/transl.fl)