Whether you are in Kalkan for just a few days on holiday or live here permanently, as a British National, you have the might of the British Embassy behind you should you need help or assistance.  If you are in Kalkan, the nearest British Consular official is Ahmet Dorduncu, the British Honorary Consulate based in Fethiye.

The work of the Consulate is wide ranging. Not only does it provide help, assistance and advice when needed but it plays a major role in promoting relationships between Turkey and the UK and in developing business opportunities and fostering commercial partnerships. 

All of this work is overseen by the Consul-General, Jessica Hand, pictured here, based at the British Consulate in Istanbul.  On a recent visit to the Honorary Consulate in Fethiye, Jessica took time from her busy schedule to be interviewed by KTLN.

Jessica Hand moved to Istanbul to take up her post in August 2008. She joined the Foreign office in 1985 after graduating from the University of Aberdeen and spending two years in private industry.  Her first overseas posting was to Senegal in 1987.  In 1996 she was appointed as Ambassador to the Republic of Belarus. 

The following years saw her in a number of roles both in London and on secondment to a NATO military headquarters as Political Adviser to the Commander in Chief.  In that role she made her first visit to Istanbul in 2003 - sadly coinciding with the attack on the British Consulate-General.

Then, at the end of 2004 she and her husband Bob moved to Moscow where Jessica was Director Operations and HM Consul-General.  Read more about Jessica Hand on the FCO website. 

KTLN - There are now over 300 permanent British residents in Kalkan; a question which is of great interest to many of us is when Turkey is likely to become a full EU member.  Membership could have quite an impact on the lives of British residents here.

JH – The British government has always been an ardent supporter of Turkey’s application for EU membership but realistically, we are looking at a time frame of 8 – 12 years.  This may seem like a long time but there is so much to be done to fulfil EU membership requirements.  So much of that work is both bureaucratic and technical that it appears invisible unless you are actually behind the scenes, involved in the process.

For very long periods, it may appear that no progress is being made.  There is little reported in the press and often the focus of what is reported is negative.  I know that EU membership would have a tremendous impact here both for Turkish citizens and British Nationals living in Turkey, so we have to counsel patience.  Whatever the current signals being given out by certain Member States, it is important to bear in mind that governments change, leaders change and the things those leaders say change.  So if you are in favour of EU membership for Turkey, don’t be discouraged by the length of the process.

KTLN – In some places in Turkey with large, permanent British populations, residents committees have been formed in order to give foreign residents (who don’t have a vote) some form of local representation. What are your thoughts on this?

JH - Well, my role, commercially and politically is about forging partnerships, so if the aim of any organisation is to do that, I would be very supportive.  I would be concerned about organisations which do not have assimilation and integration as their goal.  Committees which are not integrated could polarise the British and Turkish residents in an area, perhaps putting them in opposing camps.  I do think it is important to provide a showcase for what British residents can do for themselves and thus demonstrate what can be achieved through co-operation and constructive dialogue. 

I am a great believer in taking positive action but being constructive in doing so.  Don’t criticise from outside, work together with the local community to improve things, to influence change.  In any ex-patriate community there will be a wealth of skills and experience which people bring with them from previous lives.  Offer those skills on a voluntary basis to your community, whether it is to raise funds for a local good cause or find strategies to overcome a problem all the residents are facing together. 

Any community wanting to influence change must first think about its own reputation.  How British residents in Kalkan behave, whether they are on holiday or living there permanently will be observed by the local community and judgements made by that community as to whether the ‘foreigners’ have anything of value to offer the locals.  Before asking how can I have a voice, think about whether that voice will be respected.

I do believe in being seen to be active in your community. I was very taken by the concept of The Big Lunch, which was an initiative held in the UK in July.  Imagine British and Turkish communities getting together to do something similar, it’s a great way to share cultures and experience and really get to know your neighbours.

KTLN – In your Consular role, you come across many facets of Turkish and British society. What similarities and differences do you observe between our two cultures?

JH – I find far more similarities than differences.  The history of positive Turco-British relations goes back several hundred years and I believe that is because we are so similar.  We have many shared points of history, similar standards of behaviour.  Neither country is boastful; in both cultures, modesty about achievements is considered a good thing.  It is often said that Turkey does not do enough to promote itself, in some ways until fairly recently, that has been a British trait too. 

There is a belief in Turkey that your achievements will speak for themselves but we have all learnt that achievements alone are not enough.  In an increasingly global marketplace, such concepts as marketing, branding and image play a crucial role.  Turkey is just beginning to learn that.  Much of my work as Consul-General is to develop commercial relationships and to promote opportunities for British companies in Turkey.  In that role I constantly see similarities rather than differences.

KTLN – In Kalkan, there are many British Residents who, having taken early retirement, have considered starting a small business which could utilise their skills and perhaps provide something unique to the rest of the business community but it is terribly difficult and expensive to get through the red tape and bureaucracy if you want to open a small business. Do you have any tips?

JH – I do know how difficult it is.  Part of our work here is demonstrating that small and medium size enterprises are the engine of the economy and should be given every encouragement.  Today’s small business could be a global player in ten years time.  The process for setting up a small company will eventually change; it will become easier and more encouragement will be given, but how quickly those changes will come about, I can’t say.  In the meantime, my best advice is to work with a Turkish partner.  Let them handle the red tape, whilst you contribute the skills and expertise.

KTLN – Our final question, does the Consul-General have a role to play in bringing together British communities in Turkey?

JH – Naturally the offices of the Consul-General are always open to British Nationals who need our help and advice and our website ‘UK in Turkey’ should be the starting point for anybody who thinks they may need our services.  However, it’s not really part of our remit to develop links between local British communities in any overseas country.  We would see that as a role for the communities themselves.

As an example, your website KTLN is an excellent way of keeping the Kalkan British and foreign community in touch with local events and we are always happy to support the efforts of websites such as this in reflecting and disseminating FCO advice. 

I would also like to remind all residents and long term visitors to register with the local consulate office.  In case of emergency it could be a life-saver.

[end of interview]

You can find out how to register with the British Consulate in the KTLN article FCO Advice for Turkey, in our Emergency Situations -Advice section, in the Main Menu.  It's quite easy and KTLN would recommend you to do so.

If you require assistance from the British Honorary Consulate in Fethiye, here is how you can contact Ahmet and his team, in normal office hours, between Monday and Friday:

Ahmet Dörüncü
Atatürk Caddesi
Likya İş Merkezi
Kat: 2 No: 202
48300
Fethiye
Muğla

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Phone: (0252) 614 6302
Fax: (0252) 614 8394