The European Commission strongly criticized Turkey for excluding Cyprus from processes ahead of the UN climate conference (COP31) in Antalya this November, calling Ankara’s behavior “unacceptable.” As Politico emphasizes, the neighboring country has excluded Cyprus from several meetings recently.
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Commission against Turkey: “The exclusion of a UN member state is not acceptable”
Ankara refuses meeting requests from Cyprus, even though Nicosia is currently holding the rotating presidency of the EU Council this semester. Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra told Politico that Turkey’s behavior is unacceptable “and we will not accept it.” He emphasized that “either you cooperate with all 27 countries, or with none.” “If you seek to host an international event, that supersedes whatever national sensitivities you may have,” according to him.
The Commission addressed the issue, underlining: “We have made it clear that the exclusion of a United Nations member state from the preparatory process of the UN climate conference, COP31, is not acceptable.” “Turkey has assured us that Cyprus will not be excluded from future preparatory meetings for COP31,” said spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen.
