ANKARA (AA) - US Ambassador in Ankara Francis Ricciardone said Thursday he had the greatest respect for Turkey's National Intelligence Agency (MIT) Undersecretary Hakan Fidan both professionally and personally, adding close cooperation in defense and intelligence would continue between Turkey and the United States.
Speaking at the Asssociation of Diplomatic Correspondents (DMD), Ricciardone stated Fidan was "certainly a dedicated and loyal, competent high official of (Turkish) government and he has one of the most responsible, difficult and sensitive positions."
The ambassador noted it was a privilege to work with Fidan and stated he always learned from him whenever they came together.
"We've close cooperation with the government of Turkey in dealing with the sensitive problems in the region, security problems, defense and intelligence that will continue," Ricciardone added.
"We are concerned on prospective deal of Turkey-China"
Noting also over the possibility of a deal over buying missiles between Turkey and a Chinese company, Ricciardone said, "It's no secret that we're very concerned by a prospective deal between Turkey and a Chinese firm that's sanctioned under no less than three American legislatives. This is a commercial decision, it's Turkey's sovereign right to take its own decision about defense acquisitions. But we are concerned on what this means for allied missile and air force."
The ambassador stated Turkish and US officials had started talks over the subject and said it would be handled through official channels between two friendly and allied nations.
"Turkey will make it's own decision in the light of a full and thoughtful examination of the facts. We're dealing with the strategic regional defense question," he added.
The Wall Street Journal had published an article titled 'Turkey's Spymaster Plots Own Course on Syria' on October 10 on its website, where the author wrote about the process after Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan met US President Barack Obama in May, 2013, touching also upon Hakan Fidan and giving a detailed background information about him.
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