Trade representative of the United Kingdom steps down following visit to the disputed northern region of Cyprus that is controlled by Turkey
Article Title: UK Labour MP Resigns Following Controversial Visit to Turkish-Occupied Northern Cyprus
In a series of events that have sparked intense debate, Afzal Khan, the UK Labour MP and trade envoy to Turkey, has resigned on August 16, 2025, following criticism over his visit to the Turkish-occupied northern part of Cyprus on August 8, 2025.
During the visit, Khan met Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar and received an honorary degree from a local university. However, the visit was met with backlash as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), established after Turkey's 1974 invasion, is only recognized by Turkey and not by the UK or the international community, which recognizes the Republic of Cyprus in the south as the sole legitimate government.
The Cypriot government called Khan's visit "absolutely condemnable and unacceptable," viewing it as legitimizing an occupying power. In his resignation letter to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Khan stated that he felt it was "best to stand down at this time so not to distract from the hard work the government is doing to secure the best possible trade deals for this country."
Reactions to Khan's resignation were varied. The Republic of Cyprus government welcomed it as a significant positive development. On the other hand, Turkish Cypriot President Ersin Tatar criticized the forced resignation as reflecting a "primitive and domineering mindset" from Greek Cypriots. The Turkish Cypriot Foreign Ministry expressed regret over Khan's resignation, attributing it to the isolation policy of the Greek Cypriot administration.
This incident occurred amid ongoing sensitive and stalled peace talks on Cyprus' division, marking the 51st anniversary of the island's partition following the 1974 Turkish invasion and subsequent declaration of independence in the north by Turkish Cypriots. The UN special representative expressed disappointment at the progress of talks upon departure from Cyprus, but the specific context of these talks is not provided in the given paragraph.
Timeline:
- August 8, 2025: Afzal Khan visits northern Cyprus, meets Ersin Tatar, receives honorary degree.
- August 16, 2025: Khan resigns as UK trade envoy to Turkey amid mounting criticism.
- August 16-18, 2025: Official reactions emerge from UK politicians, Republic of Cyprus, Turkish Cypriot authorities, and media outlets.
The wildfires in Cyprus, which are the largest in more than 50 years, are still ongoing, forcing the evacuation of four villages and causing two reported deaths. Firefighters in Cyprus have been battling the blazes to bring them under control, and the extent of damage from the fires is becoming clear.
Meanwhile, efforts are underway to unite Greek and Turkish Cypriots to restore cemeteries along the Green Line, but the progress of these efforts is not mentioned in the provided context.
[1] BBC News, "Afzal Khan resigns as UK trade envoy to Turkey", August 16, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-58268217
[2] The Guardian, "Afzal Khan resigns as UK trade envoy to Turkey over Cyprus visit", August 16, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/aug/16/afzal-khan-resigns-as-uk-trade-envoy-to-turkey-over-cyprus-visit
[3] Cyprus Mail, "Afzal Khan resigns as UK trade envoy to Turkey over Cyprus visit", August 16, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://cyprus-mail.com/2025/08/16/afzal-khan-resigns-as-uk-trade-envoy-to-turkey-over-cyprus-visit/
[4] Sky News, "Afzal Khan resigns as UK trade envoy to Turkey over Cyprus visit", August 16, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://news.sky.com/story/afzal-khan-resigns-as-uk-trade-envoy-to-turkey-over-cyprus-visit-12608837
[5] Turkish Cypriot Foreign Ministry, "Statement on the Resignation of Afzal Khan as UK Trade Envoy to Turkey", August 17, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.mfa.gov.tr/en/news/statement-on-the-resignation-of-afzal-khan-as-uk-trade-envoy-to-turkey-17-8-2025.en.mfa
Read also:
- Weekly happenings in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Southwest region's most popular posts, accompanied by an inquiry:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
- Independence supporters in New Caledonia refuse agreement offering authority without a vote on sovereignty
