VILNIUS, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Lithuania will have informal talks with the IMF on the possibility of borrowing money, but has no need at the moment for extra funds, the central bank said on Friday.
Lithuania's economy is slowing rapidly, though it is not yet in the recession that Latvia and Estonia are suffering. Latvia has already had to appeal for EU and IMF help. A mission from the IMF is due in Lithuania next week and another one is to visit Estonia.
"Of course, we will speak about possible assistance, but there is no need to borrow at the moment," Lithuanian central bank governor Reinoldijus Sarkinas told Reuters.
"We should come to an agreement that we can borrow if needed ... It will be more informal talks, because there is no official decision to address the IMF, and at the moment we cannot discuss any sums," he said.
"I don't expect that such a decision (to start talks with the IMF) will come soon."
Latvia has estimated it needs 5 billion euros ($6.39 billion) from the IMF and EU to help to revitalise the economy, and give support to the bank sector. Latvia last month also had to take over its second-largest bank, Parex. (Reporting by Nerijus Adomaitis; editing by David Stamp)