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