PORTUGUESE RESPONSE ON PHARE ASSISTANCE TO TURKISH

UNCLAS LISBON 001568 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/ERA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL EAID PO SUBJECT: PORTUGUESE RESPONSE ON PHARE ASSISTANCE TO TURKISH CYPRIOTS REF: SECSTATE 115693 ¶1. (SBU) Pol/Econ officer underscored the importance of PHARE assistance to Turkish Cypriots and our concern with the July 2 outcomes with MFA European Affairs Deputy Antonio Correia Aguiar. Correia Aguiar replied that Portugal is also following the issue very closely, but that Portugal's Office of Inter-European External Relations would probably hold off announcing Portugal's response until late September to avoid raising false expectations. He stressed that Portugal is a small nation and with economic difficulties and ongoing resource commitments on multilateral fronts. As a result, he said Portugal will follow through on the EU decision but implied that the GOP would likely avoid taking the lead on PHARE. ¶2. (SBU) On July 27, Correia Aguiar shared copies of the refel points with colleagues in the MFA who will be in charge of directing the delegation in Brussels during the next vote. He noted that it was useful to have the U.S. perspective, but that the GOP would not be able to respond with information on its plans until closer to the October meeting. Hoffman