Mr. Aykut Eken
Chairman of the Organizing Committee
Of the 9th FICAC World Congress of Consuls
Honorary Consul General of Jamaica to Turkey

I have received your kind invitation for the 9th World Congress of Consuls to be held on November 16 – 17, 2009 by the International Federation of Consular Associations (FICAC Federation Internationle des Corps et Associations Consulaires).

Please allow me to take this opportunity to thank You and all those who contributed to the organization of this Congress which indeed is a significant event for the enhancement of cooperation and solidarity among the Honorary and Career Consuls representing various countries around the world.

We appreciate FICAC’s efforts and achievements in promoting and strengthening mutual understanding between Honorary Consuls and Career Consuls worldwide. Developing a framework and basis for exchange of information, ideas and suggestions regarding matters related to the work of Honorary Consuls and Career Consuls is highly important.

I believe that the Congress provides a valuable opportunity to the esteemed participants for sharing experience for coordinating efforts to enhance the status and effectiveness of the Consuls General and Consuls. Especially, the Honorary Consul have quite challenging task as one of the earliest institutions serving for bilateral relations between the countries.

Unfortunately, due to my tight and heavy schedule, I will not be able to participate in this important Congress. However, I will be represented by Ambassador Dicle Kopuz, Director General for Policy Planning.

For this Congress which is being organized to our great satisfaction in Izrnir and under the theme of “Collaboration for Economic and Social Prosperity” I would like to express to You and through You to all the distinguished participants my best wishes of success.

Ahmet Davutoglu
Minister of Affairs