Erdogan's 'null and void' message to Hristodulidis! He welcomed every leader and skipped the Greek leader

The leaders' summit on the margins of COP31, which brought together world leaders, witnessed a remarkable development in terms of diplomacy. Before the opening program of the meeting, a welcome protocol was prepared for the heads of state and government attending the summit, hosted by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and with the participation of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

They shook hands one by one

Erdoğan, who shook hands with the leaders one by one and posed for the cameras, did not give the same welcome when it came to Greek Cypriot Administration Leader Hristodulidis. It was seen that Hristodulidis was kept waiting for a while by the officials when he arrived at the summit area. Meanwhile, Erdoğan, who was informed by the officials about the incoming leader, left the area for a short time. During the moments when the Greek leader was waiting, the Turkish flag was projected on giant screens. Hristodulidis, who proceeded to the reception area after Erdoğan left the spot, could only shake hands with Guterres. The two men, who took photos together, were also caught on camera talking to each other for a while.

No invitation from Turkey

Türkiye does not recognize the Greek Cypriot Administration as the legitimate representative of Cyprus. For this reason, Ankara's failure to include the Greek Cypriot administration in the invitations it sent to other country leaders within the scope of COP31 became a matter of diplomatic debate. Hristodulidis came to Antalya not with a direct invitation from Turkey, but as a member of the UN. However, the scene at the welcoming ceremony clearly showed that the Greek leader's participation in the summit does not mean that he will be accepted as a diplomatic interlocutor by Erdogan.

'No longer valid'

Although Erdoğan shook hands with other leaders and gave warm photographs, he did not enter the same frame with Christodoulides, which was interpreted as a reflection of Turkey's attitude on the Cyprus issue. Erdoğan's attitude led to the evaluation that "the Greek Cypriot administration's claim of unilateral representation is null and void for Ankara."

Thank you from King Charles to Erdoğan

King Charles III of England thanked President Erdoğan in his message to the delegates attending the COP31 Leaders Summit held in Antalya. In his message, Charles said, "I am extremely grateful to President Erdoğan, his government and the people of Türkiye for bringing the international community together at such an important time."

It received wide coverage in the Greek press

At the COP31 Leaders' Summit, President Erdoğan's departure from the stage before the arrival of Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Hristodulidis and his failure to welcome him were covered by some Greek news sites as well as the Greek press. The "Cyprus Mail" newspaper published in the Greek Cypriot side devoted extensive coverage to this issue and wrote that the Greek leader was invited and welcomed by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, but President Erdoğan left the stage before Hristodulidis' arrival. Greece-based website "pagenews.gr" also said, "Ankara's refusal to recognize the Republic of Cyprus contradicts international diplomatic protocol and reveals the limits of Turkey's long-standing attitude."

Anti-Türkiye record is long

In his statements regarding the Cyprus issue, the Greek leader advocated the abolition of Turkey's guarantor right and the withdrawal of Turkish soldiers from the island, and said that the demands for the termination of the guarantor system and the withdrawal of Turkish soldiers were the deep-rooted policy of the Greek side. The Hristodulidis administration is also at the center of criticism due to its relations with the far-right ELAM party in Southern Cyprus. Hristodulidis opened the "Freedom Museum", which is about the activities of EOKA between 1955 and 1959, on November 18, 2025.

Intimate conversation with Aliyev, hug with Lula

The COP31 Leaders Summit, hosted by Turkey and held in Antalya, brought together heads of state and government from all over the world. At the summit, which was attended by 95 countries and 102 leaders from 6 continents, the guest leaders were welcomed by President Erdoğan and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Erdogan and Guterres shook hands with the leaders one by one, chatted with their guests and took photos. Erdoğan also cordially welcomed Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The two leaders hugged each other and greeted each other. Bilateral contacts President Erdoğan also held bilateral contacts within the scope of COP31. Erdoğan met with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidential Council Chairman Denis Becirovic and Presidential Council Member Zeljko Komsic. / AYŞEGÜL KAHVECİOĞLU - Antalya

'Dinosaurs didn't have a lobby, but fossil fuels do'

Guterres said in the speech, "Fossil fuels must follow the same path as the dinosaurs. But this will not happen automatically. Dinosaurs did not have a lobby. But fossil fuels do." Guterres argued that a new "Climate Justice Consensus" was needed, calling for financing and technology transfer to developed countries. Guterres said, "Those who profit most from fossil fuels must also help pay for the damage they cause. Polluters must pay the price."

'We are brothers'

■ Guterres left the microphone on during the welcome of Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, allowing us to witness an interesting dialogue. Guterres pointed to Erdoğan and said to Şerif, "It's great to see you together." The sheriff's response was, "We are brothers."

■ A symbolic event to combat climate change was also held at the summit. Erdogan and Guterres planted olive saplings together. Erdoğan gave life to the planted saplings. After planting the saplings, Guterres said; Then Erdoğan gave each other COP31 badges.

Family photo taken

After the welcoming ceremony, the heads of state and government moved to the area where the traditional family photo would be taken. Erdoğan participated in the photo shoot after straightening his hair with the comb he requested from the staff. In the family photo, UN Secretary General Guterres was on Erdogan's right and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev was on his left.

Harsh message from Erdoğan to Gaza: It's a shame for humanity

President Erdoğan drew attention to the humanitarian drama in Gaza at the COP31 Summit. Speaking at the Leaders Summit, Erdoğan briefly said the following:

BOTH GENOCIDE AND ENVIRONMENTAL CIDE:

There was not only a genocide but also an environmental destruction in Gaza. Centuries-old olive trees were cut down in Gaza, but today we planted olive trees. As centuries-old trees were cut down, soil was polluted, water was polluted, and cities were turned into huge piles of debris. Currently, our Palestinian brothers in Gaza are unfortunately condemned to live in tents in the mud swamp. Aren't these people? Aren't these people deemed worthy of even a tent? We want to send a container, but it is not allowed. Hundreds of thousands of our Gazan brothers and sisters, especially shivering innocent children, who have no roof to take shelter under, are struggling to survive in the water, often without their parents, in these winter conditions.

WEAKNESS, WEAKNESS, UNCONSCIOUSNESS:

No one who sees, knows or witnesses such a shameful scene for humanity can be exempt from responsibility. I believe that we should all make the following call from Antalya as interpreters of the common conscience of humanity: To show power over the tragedy of Gaza children; Look, I'm speaking very clearly, it is weakness, impotence, and above all, unconscionability.

THE MOST PRECIOUS INHERITANCE:

What we really need today as humanity is; It is a universal mercy agreement to be signed between humans and nature. The most valuable legacy we will leave to future generations before the world becomes an uninhabitable place; It will be a cleaner, greener and fairer world.

Special thanks to Azerbaijan

THEY SHARED THEIR EXPERIENCES:

I would also like to thank UN Secretary-General Mr. Guterres for their strong support to the preparations of the conference, Australian Prime Minister Mr. Albanese for their contribution to the unique partnership model we developed for COP31, and Brazil and dear Azerbaijan for sharing with us the experiences they gained from their previous COP presidencies.

'There are two options'

WE LIT A CANDLE:

We have two options before us: We will either look at the difficulties and complain, or we will hold on to hope and take action. We chose to light candles instead of shaking our fists at the darkness.

Dinner in honor of leaders

President Erdoğan and his wife Emine Erdoğan attended the dinner given in honor of the leaders within the scope of the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) of the United Nations (UN) Framework Convention on Climate Change, held in Antalya, hosted by Turkey. World Bank Group President Ajay Banga also attended the dinner.