Senior U.S. diplomat in Turkey says freedom of expression is of crucial importance

ANKARA (A.A) - November 28, 2011 - The U.S. ambassador to Turkey highlighted on Monday crucial importance of freedom of expression. Francis J. Ricciardone said every one had to work to improve democracies, and expression of every view and thought in democracies without any fear of trial or sanction was of crucial importance. Turkish democracy had made great progress, Ricciardone said during inauguration of U.S. center of Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey (TEPAV) in Ankara. Ricciardone said TEPAV and the Union of Chambers & Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) were working for boosting alliance between Turkey and the United States and improve friendship between the two nations. The ambassador said the center would help boost bilateral relations and contribute to Turkish democracy.  As Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, nobody could talk about democracy in a country where there was no freedom of expression, Ricciardone said. Ricciardone also said the United States totally agreed with Erdogan's view. TEPAV's U.S. Center will bring together Turkish and U.S. decision-makers, diplomats, experts and journalists, closely monitor Turkish-U.S. relations and fill gaps.