CEE MARKETS-Currencies edge up with investors still firmly focused on Middle East

BUDAPEST, March 16 (Reuters) - Central European currencies were a touch stronger on Monday after falling over the last two weeks, with investors remaining firmly focused on the war in the Middle East, the dollar rate and oil prices.

Hungary's forint EURHUF= was 0.2% stronger at 391.60 per euro, stabilising after last week's volatility that saw it touch 400 to the euro.

"Everyone who wanted to close their positions has done so, and now the market is waiting to see what is going to happen, that is why apparently there is some calm...despite oil prices rising again," an FX trader in Budapest said.

Oil prices rose on the threat to Middle East oil facilities, despite U.S. President Donald Trump's call for nations to help safeguard the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global energy shipments. O/R

The Polish zloty EURPLN= added 0.2% and was trading at 4.2675 versus the euro.

"The market is slowly accepting that the conflict in the Persian Gulf is unlikely to end anytime soon. This translates into a limited risk appetite," Bank Millennium wrote in a note.

"In the absence of new information, volatility can be expected to be slightly lower than last week," they said.

Elsewhere, the Czech crown EURCZK= edged up 0.2% to trade at 24.433 to the euro ahead of a central bank rate meeting scheduled for Thursday.

Central Europe's bond yields have steadied at elevated levels, although shy of their recent highs.

"Markets appear to have shifted their focus not only to inflation, but also to fiscal costs and the degree of fiscal headroom countries can deploy to cushion the economic impact of high energy prices," Erste Group Bank said.

Stocks in the region weakened, with Budapest's exchange .BUX leading losses with a 1% fall. Warsaw .WIG20 was 0.4% lower while Prague .PX eased 0.3%.