An incident that has been widely discussed within the Cypriot government, and for which the Turkish side has yet to provide an explanation, unfolded in Antalya during the reception of heads of state at the Climate Conference (COP31).

Specifically, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the host, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, were present at the reception. However, when the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, arrived at the venue, the television coverage shifted elsewhere. When the camera returned to the reception area, Guterres could be seen standing alone, waiting to welcome Christodoulides.

The two men appeared to speak quietly for a few seconds before posing for commemorative photographs, after which the Cypriot President proceeded inside the building. When the next leader arrived shortly afterwards, Erdogan was once again standing alongside Guterres.

Commenting on the Turkish President’s actions, the spokesman for the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, Konstantinos Letymbiotis, described his departure from the reception area as a “display of contempt towards the UN”.

Erdogan welcomed Erhurman

Of particular interest is the fact that, earlier, Erdogan had personally welcomed Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman, who is also taking part in the summit.

In Erhurman’s case, the UN Secretary-General was not present when he was welcomed by the Turkish President.

The difference in the way the two leaders were received takes on particular significance in light of Ankara’s continuing refusal to recognise the Republic of Cyprus.

Erdogan’s absence did not, however, prevent Nikos Christodoulides from officially taking part in the summit proceedings, where he represents the Republic of Cyprus as a recognised member state of both the United Nations and the European Union.

The diplomatic background

Christodoulides’ presence in Antalya had previously been the subject of diplomatic consultations, as Turkey had reportedly sought to prevent him from taking part in the Leaders’ Summit.

Nicosia moved to address the issue in cooperation with European institutions and the governments of EU member states, arguing that the equal participation of an EU member state in an international conference could not be called into question.

Ultimately, Nikos Christodoulides’ participation was secured. He arrived in Antalya last night and was officially welcomed by a representative of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the European Union’s Ambassador to Ankara.

The Cyprus issue in the background

The presence of Christodoulides and Erdogan at the same international conference coincides with renewed UN efforts to restart negotiations on the Cyprus issue.

Yesterday, Nikos Christodoulides held a telephone conversation with Antonio Guterres, during which they discussed the outcome of Monday’s meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman and the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, Maria Angela Holguin. This followed a meeting between Guterres and Erdogan in Antalya, during which the Cyprus issue was also discussed.

According to information reported by the Cyprus News Agency, the next steps are being considered for the organisation of a new trilateral meeting under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General.

The Cypriot government had made clear that no meeting was scheduled between Nikos Christodoulides and either Recep Tayyip Erdogan or Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.