Menelau: Turkey's Two-State Position Remains Main Obstacle to Renewed Cyprus Talks

According to Politis, Menelau said updating and formally recording the convergences reached up to the 2017 Crans-Montana conference would be a key step toward relaunching the negotiation process.

Speaking to Politis Radio, Menelau said the latest UN-led effort is focused on updating records of the convergences already achieved before Crans-Montana, with the aim of creating the conditions for a new expanded meeting and the resumption of Cyprus negotiations.

He stressed that this does not constitute a new negotiation process but rather an update of convergences already documented in UN archives.

Menelau said the next step would be an expanded meeting at which decisions could be taken once the updated record is completed, reiterating that the exercise is limited to revising material already contained in UN records.

Based on this work, he said, the objective would be to restart negotiations by concentrating on issues that remain unresolved. He added that the convergences are already reflected in UN documents and records from previous rounds of negotiations.

According to Menelau, the existence of this documented material allows the process to move at a relatively fast pace. However, he said the decisive factor would be whether all parties demonstrate the political will needed for the updated record to lead to a new expanded meeting and a decision to resume negotiations.

Referring to methodological proposals submitted by the Turkish Cypriot side, Menelau said it was a positive development that one proposal explicitly supports preserving previously achieved convergences, avoiding their renegotiation, and focusing instead on unresolved issues.

He said that if this approach is confirmed in practice, it could create "a genuine prospect for progress."

Menelau Assesses Guterres' Position

Menelau also commented on the position of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, claiming that the UN chief has demonstrated "strong personal determination" to achieve progress on the Cyprus issue during the final phase of his term.

He said Guterres' post-visit statement referred both to preserving past convergences and to UN parameters, describing this as "a clear message" in support of maintaining the agreed framework for a settlement and safeguarding the progress achieved to date.

Menelau argued that it remains unclear how the Turkish side will act in the coming period, adding that developments should be judged by actions rather than public statements.

He also claimed that the proposal for the UN to formally record the convergences was not new, saying the Greek Cypriot side had first presented the idea during meetings with UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy on Cyprus, María Ángela Holguín, in January. He said the Greek Cypriot side welcomed the progress made on the proposal.

Confidence-Building Measures

Politis also highlighted Menelau's remarks on confidence-building measures (CBMs) and responsibility for the failure to implement specific CBMs.

Menelau argued that assigning responsibility was not a priority and would not contribute to the process, maintaining that the focus should remain on sustaining the effort and demonstrating political will.

Asked whether the two sides are now closer to or further from the point reached at Crans-Montana in 2017, Menelau noted that nine years have passed since then.

He claimed that whether the parties are closer to or further from that point will depend on the stance adopted by the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey after the UN completes the updated record of convergences.

According to the newspaper, Menelau said that if the parties reaffirm everything achieved up to the conclusion of the Crans-Montana process, a significant portion of the remaining distance toward a settlement would effectively have been covered.

Ready for Further Meetings

Turning to the next steps, Menelau said the Greek Cypriot side is ready for further meetings once the necessary conditions are in place.

He added that contacts with the Turkish Cypriot side are continuing to determine the date of the next meeting between the two leaders, stressing that the issue should not be viewed as a competition over which side is more willing to engage.

Menelau said successful contacts require political will and flexibility, adding that the Greek Cypriot side will continue to do its part to facilitate a new expanded meeting.

He reiterated his claim that the principal obstacle to progress remains Turkey's insistence on a two-state solution, while pledging to continue efforts and exhaust every opportunity to move the process forward.