European finance ministers squared off over a possible aidprogram for Spain, with creditors unwilling to commit until thegovernment takes additional steps to boost competitiveness and ridthe economy of debt.

Spain, already drawing on 100 billion euros ($130 billion) torepair its banking system, wants the lightest possible conditionson a European credit line or loan program that would also enablethe European Central Bank to buy bonds to bring down its borrowingcosts.

“If there will be support, there will be conditions,” DutchFinance Minister Jan Kees de Jager told reporters before a meetingof euro-area finance chiefs in Nicosia, Cyprus today. “Spain is onthe right way but they have to continue to convince the marketsthat they have a sound policy.”