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ATHENS, Greece (AP) — A Greek official says Cyprus has not asked Greece for help in boosting its battered banking system.

Government spokesman Simos Kedikoglou said Monday Athens has received no "specific request" for assistance in recapitalizing Cypriot lenders. He spoke after talks in Athens between Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and recently-elected Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades.

Cyprus, whose economy accounts for only 0.2 percent of the output of the group of 17 European Union countries that use the euro, is negotiating a financial bailout, worth up to €17 billion ($22.3 billion), to stave off bankruptcy.

Much of that would be earmarked for Cypriot banks, which have lost billions on bad Greek debt. Weekend reports in Cyprus said Anastasiades wants Cypriot banks' Greek units to be eligible for help from Greece's bank rescue fund.