EU: Hungary makes concession on central bank

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union says Hungary has committed to concessions on the independence of its central bank and its judiciary in a move that narrows a rift between the member state and the EU's central institutions.

EU spokesman Olivier Bailly said Wednesday that in the wake of a visit by Prime Minister Viktor Orban the EU had been given assurances that Hungarian law will be brought in line with rules on central bank independence.

Bailly said talks on financial assistance would now resume.

Hungary, which is in the 27-nation EU but uses its own currency, the forint, has been sharply criticized for a new constitution that the EU fears hurts the independence of the country's judges, its central bank and its data protection agency.