11.11.2026 12:12
At the COP31 Leaders Summit held in Antalya, President Erdoğan greeted world leaders but did not greet Nikos Christodoulidis, the leader of the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus. After Erdoğan left the reception area, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres greeted Christodoulidis. This situation at the summit drew attention, and a reaction came from the Greek Cypriot administration.
Striking scenes were captured at the Leaders' Summit held in Antalya, hosted by Türkiye, within the framework of the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. While President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was welcoming the world leaders attending the summit, he was not present in the welcome area during the arrival of Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulidis. The Greek Cypriot leader was welcomed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
ERDOĞAN WELCOMED OTHER LEADERS, DID NOT WELCOME CHRISTODOULIDIS
Within the scope of the COP31 Leaders' Summit, heads of state and government began arriving at the meeting area in Antalya. President Erdoğan and UN Secretary-General Guterres welcomed the leaders, shook hands with the guests, and posed for commemorative photos.
However, a different scene emerged during the arrival of Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulidis. Because Erdoğan was not at the welcome point, Christodoulidis was welcomed only by Guterres. After the two shook hands, they posed for photos in front of the cameras and chatted briefly. According to reports in the Greek Cypriot press, Erdoğan left the welcome area before Christodoulidis's arrival.
REACTION FROM THE GREEK CYPRIOT ADMINISTRATION
Erdoğan's not welcoming Christodoulidis also resonated in the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus. Greek Cypriot government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis criticized Erdoğan's departure from the welcome area and described this behavior as disrespect toward the United Nations.
There is no official statement from Turkish authorities regarding the reason for Erdoğan's absence from the welcome area. Therefore, whether what happened was a pre-planned diplomatic protest has not yet become clear.
ERDOĞAN WELCOMED THE TRNC PRESIDENT
Another noteworthy detail at the summit occurred during the welcoming of Tufan Erhürman, President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. It was stated that while President Erdoğan welcomed Erhürman, UN Secretary-General Guterres was not present in the welcome area at that time.
Thus, the difference between the ways TRNC President Erhürman and Greek Cypriot leader Christodoulidis were welcomed at the summit drew attention.
WORLD LEADERS MET IN ANTALYA AT COP31
Within the scope of COP31, held under Türkiye's hosting between November 9 and 20, the Leaders' Summit is being held on November 11-12. At the summit hosted by President Erdoğan, heads of state and government are announcing their national targets for combating climate change.
The summit's agenda includes issues such as the transition to clean energy, climate finance, sustainable development, and accelerating the implementation of the Paris Agreement. The organization in Antalya hosts diplomatic contacts among heads of state as well as climate negotiations.