ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Former U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake formally stepped into his new place as U.S. ambassador to Turkey on Wednesday, after presenting his credentials to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Flake is a former Republican lawmaker who endorsed U.S. President Joe Biden’s 2020 run for the White Home. He served within the U.S. Senate from Arizona from 2013 to 2019 and within the U.S. Home of Representatives from 2001 to 2013.
He takes up the place at a troublesome time for U.S.-Turkish relations. The lengthy listing of disagreements between the 2 NATO allies features a rift over U.S. help for Kurdish fighters in Syria in addition to Turkey’s buy of a Russian weapons system.
His appointment additionally comes amid threats of sanctions in opposition to Russia by the US and its allies over considerations that Russia could also be planning to invade Ukraine. Turkey enjoys shut relations with each Ukraine and Russia and has provided to mediate between the 2.
Video footage launched by Erdogan’s workplace confirmed Flake handing over his diplomatic credentials to the Turkish chief earlier than they posed for pictures.
Flake replaces Ambassador David Satterfield, who was appointed the U.S. particular envoy to the Horn of Africa.
Final 12 months, Erdogan threatened to oust Satterfield and 9 different Western ambassadors after they known as for the discharge of philanthropist Osman Kavala, who has been in a Turkish jail for 4 years awaiting trial on prices many view as unfounded. A diplomatic disaster was averted after the U.S. Embassy in Ankara declared compliance with a conference outlining diplomats’ duties to respect the legal guidelines of the host state and to not intrude in inner affairs. Different missions posted the identical message.
Flake retired from the Senate on the finish of his time period in 2019, saying he was out of step with the Republican Celebration within the period of former President Donald Trump. He later wrote a e book, “Conscience of a Conservative,” that was a critique of Trump.