Alpha News

Confidence-Building Measures, Through History and Leaders

Published January 25, 2026, 06:07

The election of Tufan Erhürman to the leadership of the Turkish Cypriot community has created expectations for a restart of negotiations on the Cyprus issue, after years of stagnation. Despite the passage of time and the creation of new realities, there is a sense that the issue is returning to a path of discussion. A first test for the resumption of substantial dialogue is reaching an agreement on Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs). The article analyzes the history of CBMs, dating back to the 1990s, and their role in preparing the ground for a future solution, even though they are not a solution in themselves. It also examines the Galli initiative and the importance of the Bi-communal Committee on Missing Persons.