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Russia continues talks on stabilization loan to Iceland - Kudrin

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Russia is continuing talks with Iceland on a stabilization loan to the Nordic country left on the verge of bankruptcy by the global financial crisis, Russian Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin said on Monday.
MOSCOW, October 27 (RIA Novosti) - Russia is continuing talks with Iceland on a stabilization loan to the Nordic country left on the verge of bankruptcy by the global financial crisis, Russian Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin said on Monday.

Some media earlier reported that Russia had rejected Iceland's request for a loan.

"The negotiations are continuing," Kudrin said.

A delegation from Iceland arrived in Moscow in mid-October for a series of meetings to agree terms for a loan that would allow Iceland's government to shore up its shaky national currency, the krona, which collapsed after the country was forced to nationalize three of Iceland's main banks after they amassed debts of over $60 billion.

Iceland's Central Bank said on October 7 that Russia had agreed to grant it a 4 billion euro ($5.4 billion) loan. Kudrin earlier said Russia viewed Iceland's loan request favorably, but that a decision on whether to grant the loan would only be made after talks.

Iceland's Central Bank said the duration of the loan would be three to four years, carrying interest ranging from 30 to 50 basis points over LIBOR.

With debts some 12 times larger than Iceland's economy, which is expected to contract by 10% in 2009, the bank said the loan would significantly bolster Iceland's foreign exchange reserves, strengthening the stability of the krona in the face of the financial crisis.

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