11.11.2026 13:14
At the COP31 Leaders Summit in Antalya, Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides, who was not welcomed by President Erdoğan, brought the developments to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. It was reported that the Greek Cypriot leader complained during the bilateral meeting, saying, "President Erdoğan did not welcome me." Erdoğan's absence from the welcoming area had also drawn the reaction of the Greek Cypriot administration.
A new development has been added to the controversy that began with the reception of Nikos Christodoulides, leader of the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus, at the COP31 Leaders' Summit held in Antalya, hosted by Türkiye. After President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan did not welcome him, Christodoulides held a bilateral meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. It was reported that the Greek Cypriot leader complained during the meeting about Erdoğan's attitude at the welcoming ceremony.
HE TOLD VON DER LEYEN THAT ERDOĞAN DID NOT WELCOME HIM
Nikos Christodoulides, who came to Antalya within the scope of the COP31 Leaders' Summit, met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen after the official welcoming ceremony. It was stated that Christodoulides, who raised the summit's reception process during the bilateral meeting, used the words, "President Erdoğan did not welcome me."
The Greek Cypriot leader's complaint marked a new stage in the diplomatic debates that followed Erdoğan's failure to welcome him. However, no information was shared about how von der Leyen responded to Christodoulides' remarks.
ERDOĞAN HAD WELCOMED THE OTHER LEADERS
President Erdoğan welcomed the heads of state and government who came to Antalya within the scope of the COP31 Leaders' Summit together with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Erdoğan, who shook hands with the leaders, took commemorative photos with the guests.
However, Erdoğan was not in the reception area during the arrival of Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides. Only UN Secretary-General Guterres welcomed Christodoulides, and the two shook hands and posed for photos in front of the cameras.
According to reports in the Cypriot press, Erdoğan had left the reception area before the Greek Cypriot leader's arrival. No official statement was made by Turkish authorities regarding the situation.
THERE HAD BEEN A REACTION FROM THE GREEK CYPRIOT ADMINISTRATION
Erdoğan's failure to welcome Christodoulides had caused a reaction in the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus. Greek Cypriot government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis criticized Erdoğan's leaving the reception area and described this behavior as disrespect toward the United Nations.
After the Greek Cypriot administration's statement, Christodoulides' raising the issue with European Commission President von der Leyen brought the reception controversy at the summit back to the agenda.
ERDOĞAN, HOWEVER, WELCOMED TRNC PRESIDENT ERHÜRMAN
At the summit, a different picture had emerged during the reception of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus President Tufan Erhürman. It was stated that while President Erdoğan welcomed Erhürman, UN Secretary-General Guterres was not in the reception area at that time.
Thus, the difference between the ways TRNC President Erhürman and Greek Cypriot leader Christodoulides were welcomed came to the fore in the diplomatic agenda of the Antalya summit.
WORLD LEADERS ARE IN ANTALYA AT COP31
Within the scope of COP31, hosted by Türkiye and held between November 9 and 20, the Leaders' Summit is taking place on November 11-12. At the summit hosted by President Erdoğan, heads of state and government are announcing their national goals 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 between leaders as well as climate negotiations.