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