Ricciardone expresses sadness over death of two Turkish pilots

During the US Independence Day reception in Ankara on Wednesday, US Ambassador to Ankara Francis Ricciardone told reporters that they felt sorry about the death of two pilots of the Turkish plane which was downed by Syria on June 22. Speaking at the opening of reception, Ricciardone expressed his happiness to celebrate their friendship, liberation and alliance, but added that they were all shaken by the death of two Turkish pilots. When recalled the different statements about where the plane had been downed, Ricciardone said that the important thing was that the plane had been downed without any warning which was unacceptable. "We are in solidarity with Turkey. Other details are not important for us," Ricciardone added.