President postpones UK visit after latest government crisis

PRESIDENT Ersin Tatar was forced to postpone his five-day visit to the UK after the government resigned last Saturday ahead of a vote of confidence.

Mr Tatar had been due to depart for London last Tuesday for his first visit there as TRNC President.

Noting that he was invited last year but that the trip was postponed to this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Mr Tatar expressed his desire to carry out the visit, which he considers of “great importance”, at a later date.

“We have informed the TRNC London Representative Office that my trip to the UK . . . has been postponed again to a later date due to the developments regarding the government’s vote of confidence,” a statement from Mr Tatar said last Saturday.

“I would first like to express my regret that I will not be able to meet with the Turkish community in England, which I value very much.

“By participating in many high-level events, I had planned to make assessments and have meetings about the latest political developments and the Cyprus issue.

“I would like to carry out this visit, which I deem of great importance, at an appropriate time. My programme had included meeting with representatives and members of the Council of Turkish Cypriot Associations; unveiling the [Turkish Cypriot] Chamber of Commerce’s London Office in a building belonging to the Foundations Administration [Evkaf], that has been renovated and gained back to our society; watching the First Presidential Cup football match to be organised by the Turkish Community Football Federation and presenting awards to the best teams and [footballers]; and taking part as a speaker in conferences to be organised by Cambridge University and King’s College London Turkish Society.

“With these feelings and thoughts, I send my most sincere respect and greetings to every member of the Turkish community living in London.”