Turkish Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Namik Tan was appointed to Turkish Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to U.S.

He replaced Nabi Sensoy who resigned on December 10, 2009. According to Turkish media, the reason for the Ambassador’s resignation was his disagreement with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

Sensoy was responsible for organizing the Erdogan-Obama meeting. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu were also to participate in the meeting. Although the format of the meeting was agreed on, the White House did not give its approval for the meeting. The Turkish Foreign Minister’s discontent with the fact caused Sensoy to resign.

Namik Tam works in Turkish Foreign Ministry since 1982. Tan worked in Turkish Embassies in Moscow, Abu-Dhabi and Washington within 27 years of diplomatic service. He also held offices in President’s administration, Cabinet of Ministers and Turkish Foreign Ministry.

From 2007-2009, Tan was Turkish Ambassador to Israel. The diplomat was appointed to the position of Turkish Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary in mid September, 2009.

L.A.