ANKARA
US Ambassador to Turkey Francis Ricciardone said on Wednesday that he was very confident about Turkish democracy.
Speaking after a meeting with the top advisor of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan,Ricciardone stated that there is no difference between the US and the government of Turkey and the governing party for the principles of Turkish democracy, for the principles that they share of freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly.
"We share really important common interests as friends and allies, we share an interest in Turkey's strength as a democracy, as a growing and dynamic economy," Ricciardone said, reminding Erdogan and Turkish President Abdullah Gul's visit to the US where they held talks about the importance of growing trade and investment between two countries.
Ricciardone also noted that the US has faith and confidence in Turkish democracy, saying, "So I came to consult with high ranking figures in the party. I reaffirmed our support for Turkish democracy. I'm very confident about Turkish democracy. For the principles of Turkish democracy, for the principles that we share of freedom of expression, freedom of peaceful assembly, there is no difference between us and the government of Turkey and the governing party on those principles."
Highlighting that his visit was aimed at consulting with high ranking figures in the Turkish government,Ricciardone added, "You're having a conversation within your Turkish family and US is not participating in it; except, we have expressed our faith in you and in the Turkish people and the Turkish government. We will stand by you as you have your conversation about your future. I believe that this is a friendly country to the US. We kept our conversation in the level of high principle and our affirmation of the US support for Turkey, for Turkish democracy, for freedom of expression and for freedom of peaceful assembly."
