PODGORICA, March 11 (Reuters) - Montenegro may end up asking the International Monetary Fund for 200-300 million euros in loans if the economic crisis in the Balkan country worsens, a deputy prime minister said on Wednesday.
"My prediction is that it will be 200-300 million euros," Vujica Lazovic, deputy prime minister for economic policy, told Reuters in an interview. "But we have still not decided to activate the programme."
He said the country would first turn European banks, with whom they have already had in depth talks, to help provide greater liquidity to the local banking sector.
Earlier in the day, Finance Minister Igor Luksic said in a separate interview that Montenegro could turn to the IMF for a stand by loan, but did not say how much money might be needed. (Reporting by Adam Tanner; Editing by Ron Askew)