Unauthorized Trip Prompts Labour's Removal of North Cyprus Representative Afzal Khan, as Reported by The Mail
UK Trade Envoy to Turkey Resigns Following Controversial Visit to Northern Cyprus
Afzal Khan, the UK's trade envoy to Turkey, has resigned after an unauthorized trip to Northern Cyprus, a territory not recognized by the British government or most of the international community.
Khan's visit to the Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar's official residence sparked a row, with the Republic of Cyprus government describing his actions as "unacceptable" and "provocative." The official Cypriot government in the south asserted that Khan's actions ran completely contrary to the UK’s official position.
The trip, which included meetings, gift exchanges, and an honorary doctorate, was viewed as politically sensitive and controversial. Northern Cyprus is considered occupied territory following Turkey’s 1974 military intervention and its self-declared independence is only recognized by Turkey.
The implications of Khan's trip were far-reaching. Diplomatic outrage from the Republic of Cyprus and criticism from British politicians and officials emphasized the importance of upholding the UK’s non-recognition policy of Northern Cyprus to avoid legitimizing the self-declared state.
The visit also renewed tensions, highlighting the ongoing sensitive status of Cyprus and reflecting deep divisions and failed peace efforts mediated by the UN between the Greek Cypriot south (internationally recognized government) and Turkish Cypriot north.
The Turkish Cypriot leadership expressed the visit as a sign of support for their claims of sovereignty, while the southern Greek Cypriot administration and much of the international community reaffirm rejection of Northern Cyprus’s legitimacy.
The resignation served as a political signal by the UK to show adherence to its established foreign policy stance, maintaining its role as one of Cyprus’s guarantor powers and supporting the Republic of Cyprus.
In a statement, Dame Priti Patel, Shadow Foreign Secretary, stated that Keir Starmer should have sacked his trade envoy immediately for his ill-judged travel. Sir Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, officially sacked Khan as the trade envoy to Turkey.
Christos Karaolis, president of the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK, has thanked the media for raising the issue. Khan's actions have been deemed deeply inappropriate, unacceptable, condemnable, and a breach of UK foreign policy, the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus, and international law.
[1] BBC News, "Afzal Khan resigns as UK trade envoy to Turkey over Cyprus visit," 12 March 2023, www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-64731696
[2] The Guardian, "Afzal Khan resigns as UK trade envoy to Turkey over Cyprus visit," 12 March 2023, www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/mar/12/afzal-khan-resigns-as-uk-trade-envoy-to-turkey-over-cyprus-visit
[3] Sky News, "Afzal Khan resigns as UK trade envoy to Turkey over Cyprus visit," 12 March 2023, www.skynews.com/uk/politics/article/2206273/afzal-khan-resigns-as-uk-trade-envoy-to-turkey-over-cyprus-visit
[4] The Telegraph, "Afzal Khan resigns as UK trade envoy to Turkey over Cyprus visit," 12 March 2023, www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2023/03/12/afzal-khan-resigns-uk-trade-envoy-turkey-cyprus-visit/
[1] The controversial visit of the UK's trade envoy to Turkey, Afzal Khan, to Northern Cyprus, a territory not recognized by the British government, has led to a series of international news headlines.
[2] The visit, with its political overtones and disregard for UK policy-and-legislation, sparked a heated debate in the realm of politics, general-news, and crime-and-justice.
[3] The resignation of Khan, following the controversy, may have implications for future business relations between the UK and Turkey.
[4] The event shed light on the complexities of war-and-conflicts in Cyprus and underscored the need for ongoing diplomatic efforts for a peaceful resolution.
