Diplomatic row follows incidents at COP31 climate summit in Antalya

Tensions have emerged between the Republic of Cyprus and Turkey following the COP31 climate summit held in Antalya. EDEK party leader Sofia Christodoulou–Makri has filed formal complaints with the Party of European Socialists, the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, and the Socialist International, alleging that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan engaged in unprofessional and provocative conduct toward Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides. The complaint highlights that Erdoğan allegedly stepped away from the entrance during the reception of heads of state, refusing to greet the Cypriot president. Furthermore, EDEK condemned the invitation extended to the leader of the breakaway Turkish Cypriot entity, describing it as a violation of UN Security Council resolutions 541 and 550.

Conversely, Turkish Cypriot officials have defended the proceedings. Ziya Ozturkler, the speaker of the assembly in the occupied territories, praised President Erdoğan’s leadership during the summit. Ozturkler characterized the decision not to greet the Cypriot president as appropriate and meaningful, framing the summit as a success for the breakaway state, which he claimed was represented at a high level. EDEK is now calling on international socialist organizations to formally condemn Turkey's actions, citing them as a breach of diplomatic protocol and international standards.