The European Commission has strongly criticized Turkey for allegedly excluding Cyprus from several informal preparatory meetings ahead of this year's UN climate conference, COP31. The summit is scheduled to take place in November in Antalya, Turkey, and Ankara, as the host country, is under increased international scrutiny. The dispute therefore concerns not only the long-standing tensions between Turkey and Cyprus, but also the credibility of the entire preparation for one of the most important climate events of the year.

The European Commissioner for Climate, Wopke Hoekstra, described Ankara's actions as "unacceptable." In an interview with POLITICO, he emphasized that Turkey, as the host of an international conference, cannot selectively decide with which member states of the European Union it will engage. "Either you engage with all twenty-seven, or with none," Hoekstra stated. According to him, the host of such an event must set aside national sensitivities, especially when it comes to a process under the auspices of the UN.

At the heart of the dispute is the long-standing unresolved issue of Cyprus. Turkey does not maintain diplomatic relations with the Republic of Cyprus, which is an internationally recognized state and a member of the European Union. Ankara, on the other hand, is the only country in the world that recognizes the Turkish-Cypriot north of the island. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey militarily intervened following a coup supported by a Greek junta. This conflict is now also affecting climate diplomacy.

According to diplomats, Ankara not only excluded Cyprus from several preparatory meetings, but also ignored or rejected bilateral requests from Nicosia for discussions. The situation is further complicated by the fact that Cyprus currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU for the first half of the year, and therefore represents the interests of all twenty-seven member states in certain matters.

The European Commission has made it clear that the exclusion of a UN member state from the preparation of the climate conference is unacceptable. Commission spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen stated that Brussels has clearly communicated its position to Turkey. According to her, Ankara subsequently assured the European Union that Cyprus would not be excluded from further preparatory meetings for COP31.

For Turkey, this is a sensitive moment. COP31 is intended to be an opportunity to showcase the country as a significant diplomatic player between Europe, the Middle East, and the Global South. However, if Ankara fails to ensure an open and inclusive process, its climate agenda may remain overshadowed by old geopolitical disputes.

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