AMSTERDAM, Jan 12 (Reuters) - The Dutch Finance Ministry is not involved in renegotiation talks with the government of Iceland over its debts related to the collapse of online bank Icesave, a spokeswoman for the ministry said on Tuesday.
Iceland plans to hold a referendum in the next two months on terms for paying back Britain and the Netherlands more than $5 billion for money lost in high-interest Icesave bank accounts during a financial meltdown in 2008. The two countries compensated savers in full and want their money back.
Iceland's finance minister said on Tuesday the country would need a quick breakthrough in talks with Britain and the Netherlands to avoid having to hold the referendum. [ID:nSAT00829]
"We are officially informed that the Icelandic people can participate in the referendum and we will await this process," the Dutch ministry spokeswoman said. "For us at this stage there is no renegotiation going on." (Reporting by Ben Berkowitz)