国际英语新闻:EU has instruments "ready to use" to help Spanish banks: spokesman

BRUSSELS, June 8 (Xinhua) -- A European Commission spokesman said Friday that the euro area has instruments "ready to use" if Spain asks for help for its banks, but refused to confirm rumours about a weekend conference to discuss the issue.

"If such a request were to be made, the instruments are there, ready to be used, in agreement with the guidelines agreed in the past, in 2011. We are not at that point," said Amadeu Altafaj.

In response to questions about earlier media reports of a weekend conference call among Eurogroup finance ministers to discuss a bailout of Spain's struggling banks, Altafaj said, "I cannot confirm it."

Some media quoted EU officials earlier on Friday as saying that Spain was likely to ask for loans from the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) to recapitalize its banks on Saturday, when eurozone finance ministers are to hold a conference call.

"We have no news of any request from Spain for financial assistance, therefore no ground to speculate," he added.

The spokesman suggested that the eurozone would work together with Spain to rescue the failing banks after the Spanish authorities provide "a clear and robust assessment of the situation of the banking sector" and a request is presented.

He said, however, that action is obviously needed to address the "fragilities" of the Spanish banking system and this could entail "elements of recapitalization of some entities."

Altafaj also said Spain is not alone in facing problems in its banking system and "several member states are still addressing these fragilities."