The President of the Republic of Cyprus has not asked for greater financial assistance from the EU, according to Commission sources, and attributed to misinformation reports by the international press that said Cyprus was seeking additional help.

“It is a great misunderstanding by the Press this morning”, the Commission sources said, clarifying that Cyprus has asked for assistance in the form of technical aid to speed up the absorption of community funds, a form of assistance which the Commission has pledged that it will recommend, through a Task Force. The Task Force will be formed to lessen the burden of measures agreed in exchange for loans.

The source said that the financial package will remain at 10 billion euro and everyone has agreed to that, including the Government of Cyprus.

According to the same source, a letter sent by President Nicos Anastasiades is a “general appeal for any kind of help that can be granted through the EU capabilities and not more money through the Memorandum.

Earlier Friday, the Cyprus Government has not requested additional financial assistance under the Memorandum with the Troika, Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides has said.

The government has concluded a deal with the Troika of international lenders, which needs to be ratified by national parliaments and the Eurogroup. The Eurogroup reached an agreement with the Cypriot authorities on the key elements necessary for the macroeconomic adjustment programme.