The European Union has expressed “grave concern” after Turkey excluded the Republic of Cyprus from a United Nations briefing held in New York on 27 March 2026, according to diplomatic information.
The incident occurred during a session linked to COP31, chaired by Türkiye’s Minister of Environment and Urbanisation Murat Kurum, where the Republic of Cyprus was reportedly denied a seat in the meeting room.
EU reaction to the exclusion
Speaking on behalf of both the EU and its member states, the Union condemned the incident, which occurred during a UN meeting marking the International Day of Zero Waste.
According to the information, the EU expressed “grave concern that the Republic of Cyprus as a member state of the UN and a participant in COP31 was not allocated a seat at the briefing.”
The EU also recalled that all United Nations member states are entitled to equal participation in UN proceedings.
“All UN Member States are accorded equal recognition and participation within UN proceedings, in accordance with their sovereign equality and the spirit of full inclusivity governing the Organisation,” the EU statement said.
Turkey invokes non-recognition policy
In response to the EU reaction, Turkey reportedly cited its long-standing policy of non-recognition of the Republic of Cyprus.
Turkey does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus and maintains diplomatic relations only with the Turkish Cypriot administration in the northern part of the island.
The exclusion occurred while Turkey holds the presidency of COP31, the annual United Nations climate conference.
Source: CNA