Greek Cypriot negotiator calls for reaffirming Crans-Montana progress

On October 25, 2026, the Greek Cypriot negotiator Menelaos Menelaou issued a formal call for the comprehensive reaffirmation of all agreements and convergences achieved in the Cyprus peace process up to the conclusion of the 2017 Crans-Montana conference. Speaking in an interview with the newspaper Kathimerini, Menelaou emphasized that this step is essential to ensure that any future negotiations can focus exclusively on outstanding, unresolved issues rather than revisiting previously settled matters.

Menelaou clarified that this reaffirmation must cover all aspects of the Cyprus issue, including critical areas such as security and guarantees. He noted that the lack of progress toward a broader conference is not due to a failure in methodology or trust-building measures, but rather to the continued distance regarding Turkey's current stance. Addressing the United Nations' document of convergences, he stated that it is intended as an objective record of the status of talks at the time they were suspended, rather than an interim agreement meant for formal signing.

Moving forward, the negotiator stressed that the involvement and constructive participation of guarantor powers remain vital for any resolution. The current focus remains on cementing the established acquis to provide a stable framework for future political efforts.