UK Trade Representative in Turkey steps down after visiting Northern Cyprus
UK Trade Envoy Resigns Over Controversial Visit to Northern Cyprus
Afzal Khan, the UK's trade envoy to Turkey and Labour MP for Manchester Rusholme, has stepped down following a visit to Northern Cyprus, a territory recognised only by Turkey and not by the UK or the international community.
Khan's visit included a meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar and receiving an honorary degree from a university there. The trip sparked strong condemnation from the Republic of Cyprus and criticism within the UK, as it was seen as undermining the UK's established position of not recognising the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus following Turkey's 1974 invasion of the island.
In a letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Khan explained his resignation, citing the diplomatic sensitivity of his visit and the attention it generated, which he felt could distract from the work of the Labour government.
The UK government stated that Khan's visit was undertaken in a personal capacity and reaffirmed there was no change in its stance on Northern Cyprus. However, the controversy and political pressure, including condemnations from Conservative MPs and the Cypriot government, led Khan to resign.
Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel and shadow foreign affairs minister Wendy Morton expressed concern over Khan's visit to occupied Northern Cyprus. The president of the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK welcomed Khan's resignation as the UK trade envoy to Turkey, while some UK Turkish community groups defended his decision as unjust and discriminatory.
Khan's visit contravened international law and compromised UK foreign policy. The Cypriot government considers the use of Tymbou airport (Ercan International Airport) to enter or exit the island as illegal. As a guarantor power and permanent member of the UN Security Council, the UK has a special role in Cyprus.
In summary, Khan resigned due to the diplomatic sensitivity of his visit, perceived as lending legitimacy to Northern Cyprus, conflicting with the UK's and the international community's policy, and causing diplomatic backlash particularly from Cyprus and UK political factions.
- The recent controversy surrounding Afzal Khan's visit to Northern Cyprus has raised concerns about the potential impact of politics on war-torn regions, given the territory's disputed status and the UK's role as a guarantor power.
- The complexities of general-news issues, such as the recognition of Northern Cyprus, are highlighted in the case of Khan's resignation, demonstrating the delicate balance between diplomacy and politics in international affairs.
