Cyprus: The EU has expressed "grave concern" after Turkey, in its capacity as President of the COP31, refused the participation of the Cyprus Republic in the briefing held at the headquarters of the United Nations on 27 March 2026, according to information. The Republic of Cyprus was denied a seat in the meeting room during the session, which was chaired by Trkiye's Minister of Environment and Urbanization, Murat Kurum. The European Union condemned the exclusion of Cyprus Republic during the UN meeting marking the International Day of Zero Waste. According to Cyprus News Agency, on behalf of both itself and its member states, the EU expressed its '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' and recalled that '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 Organization. In resp onse, Turkey invoked its long-standing policy of non-recognition of the Republic of Cyprus.