Already split on many key foreign policy issues, Turkey and the United States have found themselves embroiled in new tension after the U.S. envoy received a dressing down from Turkish officials yesterday in the wake of critical comments from the ambassador, Hurriyet Daily News reports.
The criticisms directed toward Ambassador Francis Ricciardone came in the wake of senior American officials’ reactions to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s statements on Israel, as well as their criticisms on the undemocratic nature of the Turkish judicial system.
Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Feridun Sinirlioğlu expressed Ankara’s discomfort with the recent events in an unprecedentedly long meeting with Ricciardone that lasted for two hours and 15 minutes.
Although the meeting took place upon the request of the U.S. embassy to thank Turkish officials over their efforts in the aftermath of last week’s suicide bombing at the embassy, Ricciardone’s recent statements and other top issues regarding cooperation against terrorism were brought to the agenda, according to sources.
