UK trade envoy’s visit to Northern Cyprus sparks diplomatic backlash

The visit of the United Kingdom’s Trade Envoy to Turkey and Member of the House of Commons, Afzal Khan, to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) via Ercan Airport has stirred political controversy on both islands.

According to a local newspaper, Afzal Khan traveled to Northern Cyprus last week for “a series of official meetings” and met with TRNC leader Ersin Tatar.

As part of his visit, Khan is also set to receive an honorary doctorate from a university today.

The United Kingdom does not recognize the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” as an independent state.

Khan’s visit was protested by the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK, which represents over 300,000 British citizens of Cypriot origin.

The federation sent a letter to the UK government questioning the envoy’s visit to the “Turkish-occupied” areas of Cyprus and accused Khan, the Member of Parliament for Manchester Gorton, of “violating numerous international agreements.”

Describing the visit as a “clear violation” of international law and the UK’s long-standing policy, the federation demanded Khan’s removal from his post.

The Federation argued that the nature of Khan’s visit to Cyprus also violates the UK’s obligations under the 1944 Chicago Convention. They further asserted that Khan not only sabotaged the UK’s long-standing policy on the Cyprus issue but also the resolution of the Cyprus problem based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality.

In their bilateral meeting, Tatar told Khan that he wishes to pursue a “two-state solution” policy in Cyprus.

During the meeting on Wednesday, Tatar noted that Cyprus is located in a “very critical region,” adding that “Palestine, Gaza, and Israel are only 100 kilometers away from Cyprus.”

Tatar added that Cyprus has also “experienced many difficulties in the past” but “now, thanks to the presence of the Turkish army, we have been living in peace and security on the island for 51 years.”

Khan, for his part, stated that his friends of Cypriot origin living in Manchester had recommended he visit the island, saying, “That is why I am happy to be here.”

Meanwhile, Conservative MP Dame Priti Patel criticized the Labour MP, stating, “This visit undermines the credibility of the United Kingdom as a guarantor power and a neutral mediator in reconciliation negotiations. It also sends an alarming signal to British citizens of Cypriot origin, many of whom were displaced from the very areas Khan visited.”

Arguing that the Labour Party’s foreign policy “is embarrassing Britain,” the former Home Secretary asserted that this visit is “another example of the diplomatic failures” of a potential Labour government.

Patel called for Khan’s resignation and urged the government to reaffirm the UK’s long-standing position on Cyprus. She also called on them to publicly state whether the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office or any other department of His Majesty’s Government had prior knowledge of Khan’s visit and whether any official advice was given before it took place.

The Foreign Office, in a statement to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), said that the visit was made in Khan’s personal capacity, not as a trade envoy, and that the government was not informed in advance.

A government spokesperson said, “The visit to the north of Cyprus was undertaken in a personal capacity. There is no change in the government’s long-standing position on the so-called ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’.”