EU top envoy to Turkey resigns: EU official

The European Union's top envoy to Turkey Hansjorg Haber has resigned from his post, an official from the EU delegation said.

"No further comments and no statement by Haber or the delegation are on the agenda," the official was quoted by Turkish local media as saying.

As a career German diplomat, Haber has headed the EU delegation in Turkey since last October.

According to Daily Sabah, Haber's controversial remarks caused a diplomatic spat between Ankara and Brussels in May, at a time when the negotiations to finalize the crucial readmission deal was ongoing.

Haber was also critical of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and government officials' stance when the negotiations were coming to an end, Daily Sabah said.

Haber had criticized Turkey's handling of a landmark deal with the EU on migration, and was summoned to the Turkish Foreign Ministry over his comments last month, Daily News reported.

Haber told journalists last month that Turkey's EU accession bid had been the reverse of the Turkish proverb, "Starting like a Turk, finishing like a German," meaning starting something with enthusiasm and continuing with determination and discipline.

Following the controversial remarks, Haber was summoned to the Turkish Foreign Ministry, according to Anadolu agency. Endit