Turkey faces criticism for excluding Cyprus from COP31 preparations

Turkey, the designated host for the UN climate conference COP31 scheduled for November 9-20, 2026, in Antalya, is facing criticism for excluding the Republic of Cyprus from informal preparatory meetings. According to diplomatic sources and reports from Politico, Turkey has blocked Cyprus from briefings, including an incident at the UN headquarters in New York on March 27, and has reportedly ignored bilateral meeting requests from Nicosia, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU. The European Commission, represented by climate spokeswoman Anna Kaisa Itkonen, stated that excluding a UN member state from the preparations is unacceptable. The Commission highlighted that as a member of the UN and the Paris Agreement, Cyprus has a right to participate. Turkey has provided assurances that future preparatory meetings will include the Republic of Cyprus. The situation remains a point of diplomatic tension given that Turkey does not formally recognize the Republic of Cyprus.