Our current poll has asked you about what you like most about Turkey. But, now a new research project wants to know what you don't like.

The International Strategic Research Organisation (USAK in Turkish) based in Ankara are conducting research into Turkey’s ever growing population of foreign residents.  They already visited Alanya where some 2000 German and 500 Dutch residents were surveyed and we could guess which problem was most mentioned – Turkish bureaucracy.

Last Saturday USAK held a round table meeting in Ankara to plan for the next stage of the research.  Fethiye Times was present at the meeting as were representatives from mymerhaba.com, Istanbul Post, the Bridge (an Istanbul-based organisation for German/German speaking women new to Turkey), the British Community Council also active in Istanbul and the British Embassy – the only one of several embassies who were invited who did send representatives to the meeting.

The meeting discussed the problems faced by foreign residents and considered possible regulatory solutions where appropriate.  The final report of this work will be presented to government departments and the European Union whose work includes interaction with foreign residents.

Researchers from USAK will be coming to Fethiye within the next couple of months, and we’ll keep you informed of ways in which you could be involved in the research project.  In the meantime, if you’d like to make an on-line contribution please read on.

The survey wants to find out why you chose to come and live in Turkey and how long you’ve been here.  What problems have you encountered?  Do you have Turkish friends/neighbours, or do you mainly mix with other British residents?  What do you like and dislike about living here?  Do you still have property in the UK and how often do you go there? Plus anything else you’d like to say about your experience of living in Turkey. 

You will have to give a name and contact telephone number as the nature of the project means anonymous contributions cannot be accepted.  USAK may also wish to ask follow-up questions and may contact you.

The email for all contributions is This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

So why not take the chance to shape the future and have your say!