UK lifts block on Turkish Embassy’s bank account: Sources

LONDON

The U.K. has lifted a block on the bank account of the Turkish Embassy to London, which had been imposed due to a previous court decision taken by Greek Cyprus, Turkish prime ministerial sources speaking on condition of anonymity have told state-run Anadolu Agency. 

A local British court had imposed a precautionary injunction on a number of Turkish bank accounts, including those of Turkish diplomats in the U.K., following another court ruling taken by Greek Cyprus. 

Ankara subsequently launched diplomatic efforts against the court order, on the grounds that it was against the Vienna convention on consular relations. 

Sources say the precautionary injunction has now been lifted. 

The block had been imposed after seven Greek Cypriot citizens filed a property case against Turkey and requested that Britain implement the ruling of Greek Cypriot courts. 

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Tanju Bilgiç said on Jan. 8 that Ankara had summoned the British ambassador in Ankara early in January due to the block decision, adding that a similar initiative had been launched by the Turkish Embassy in London. 

Bilgiç said Ankara conveyed to the British authorities that the move was against the Vienna convention and hindered the work of Turkey’s diplomatic and consular missions in Britain.

“It’s unacceptable. We have launched an official process to object. We expect the lifting of the court orders on these accounts,” he said on Jan. 8, also stressing that the decision could harm the “positive environment” of the ongoing reunification talks between the Turkish and Greek Cypriots.