Ricciardone: We trust trust Turkish democracy

US Ambassador to Ankara Francis Ricciardone said on Wednesday that the US trusts Turkish democracy. "We are a friend and an ally of Turkey. We are allies in tense times as well as in less tense times. We consider Turkey's power important," Ricciardone said, following his meeting with Yalcin Akdogan, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's adviser, in the Justice and Development Party (AKP) headquarters in Ankara. "We value common interests as partners. We value the democratic, growing and dynamic economy of Turkey," he told reporters, adding, "I believe that our relations are still strong and healthy and it will continue as so. We trust in Turkish democracy." Ricciardone stated that the US renewed its confidence in the Turkish government for protecting freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. "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." he said. Ricciardone also meet with Undersecretary of Turkish Foreign Ministry Feridun Sinirlioglu after contacts at AKP headquarters. According the information received, potential weapon supply to Syria and planned Free Trade Agreement between USA and EU were the topics on the agenda.