SPAIN: APPROACH TO EU MEMBERS ON AID, TRADE FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 003937 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/15/2014 TAGS: ECIN PREL EU TU CY SP SUBJECT: SPAIN: APPROACH TO EU MEMBERS ON AID, TRADE FOR NORTH CYPRUS REF: SECSTATE 209905 Classified By: Economic Counselor Whitney Baird for reasons 1.2 (b) and (d) We delivered reftel points to Ministry of Foreign Affairs Deputy Director for EU Policy Planning Enrique Mora Benavente. Mora Benavente said that Spain is highly supportive of extending trade concessions and financial assistance to the Turkish Cypriots. However, he noted that in the recent EU meetings on this issue, Greece and Cyprus opposed allowing EU trade relations with North Cyprus, a change requiring unanimous consent. Mora Benavente noted that the current EU goal is to extend economic aid as soon as possible, and then open the door to trade considerations when the Greeks and Greek Cypriots are willing. Spain will support the $259 million Euro aid package when it comes to a vote. E.U. assistance to North Cyprus does not require unanimous consent and Mora Benavente expects the aid package to be approved. ARGYROS