NICOSIA (AFP) - Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades said on Friday he will appeal to EU chiefs for extra assistance for the island as it faces ever more crippling terms for a eurozone debt bailout.

Mr Anastasiades said he had already spoken to European Union Economy and Euro Commissioner Olli Rehn ahead of a key meeting of eurozone finance ministers in Dublin later Friday that is due to finalise the bailout terms.

He said he would also write to European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso and to EU President Herman Van Rompuy.

"The letter to Mr Barroso and Mr Rompuy will refer to the need for EU policy to change towards Cyprus by giving it extra assistance, given the critical times we are going through as a result of the economic crisis and the measures imposed on us," Mr Anastasiades told reporters.

He did not elaborate on what additional support he was seeking.