Full Breakdown
EU Commission Rebukes Turkey Over Cyprus Exclusion from COP31 Preparations
5/29/2026, 11:05:02 AM
Turkey's Exclusion of Cyprus from COP31 Preparatory Meetings
Turkey formally barred the Republic of Cyprus from the United Nations COP31 preparatory process. The European Commission rebuked the move, warning that excluding an EU member state from such meetings is unacceptable.
Historical Context of the Cyprus Divide
Cyprus has been partitioned since Turkey’s 1974 military intervention after a Greek-backed coup. The north, governed by Turkish Cypriot authorities, is recognized as independent only by Turkey. The Republic of Cyprus, an internationally recognized EU member, claims sovereignty over the whole island.
Official EU Statements
Commission climate chief Wopke Hoekstra explicitly said any host of an international event must prioritize inclusivity over national sensitivities. Spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen added that excluding a UN member state from the COP31 preparatory process breaches EU expectations. Turkey later assured the Commission that Cyprus will not be excluded from future meetings.
Criticism of Turkey’s Policy
EU officials said Turkey’s exclusionary stance contradicts multilateral climate cooperation. Refusing an EU member’s participation undermines the conference’s credibility and could strain EU-Turkey relations.
Implications for Climate Diplomacy
The dispute shows how significant geopolitical tensions affect climate talks. Including all UN members is deemed essential for COP31’s legitimacy, which Turkey will host. Unresolved exclusion could hinder preparatory work and broader climate policy coordination between the EU and Turkey.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This is unacceptable, and we will also not accept it. You deal with all of the 27, or none of the 27,” — Wopke Hoekstra, European Commission climate chief
- “If you seek to host an international event, that trumps any national sensitivities you might be having.” — Wopke Hoekstra, European Commission climate chief
- “We have made it clear that the exclusion of a United Nations member state from the preparation process of the U.N. COP31 climate conference is not acceptable,” — Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, European Commission spokesperson
- “Türkiye has assured us that Cyprus would not be excluded from future preparatory meetings for COP31.” — Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, European Commission spokesperson
What Comes Next
The European Commission expects Turkey to honor its assurance and include Cyprus in all remaining COP31 preparatory sessions. The conference is slated for later this year, and the EU will monitor compliance as part of its climate agenda.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Turkish officials have still offered no statements beyond the assurance of future inclusion, leaving a gap about the rationale for the initial exclusion.
