Cyprus Raises Alarm Over Potential COP31 Exclusion by Türkiye

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Brussels: Cyprus expressed concern on Thursday that it might not be invited to the UN climate conference in November because of a long-standing dispute with host nation Türkiye. The island nation fears it may be barred from attending the major summit scheduled for November in Antalya.

Cyprus Environment Minister Maria Panayiotou stated that reports suggest Türkiye plans to invite only 26 EU member states to the conference, effectively excluding Cyprus. Furthermore, Cyprus has been systematically absent from all preparatory meetings hosted by Türkiye throughout the planning process.

The Republic of Cyprus, a recognized EU member, controls the island's south but remains unrecognized by Ankara. The island has been divided since the 1974 invasion following a coup, creating complex and ongoing political friction.

Currently holding the rotating EU presidency, Cyprus has urgently called for support from its partners. EU climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra affirmed the bloc's full solidarity with Nicosia following high-level discussions in Luxembourg.