The Daily Sabah quotes Vice President and Rafik Hariri Center Director Francis Ricciardone on the outcome of the recent election in Turkey and the implications for how Turkey will solve some of its most pressing issues in the future:
Commenting on the issue, former U.S. Ambassador to Ankara Francis Ricciardone said high political polarization leads to extreme criticism and pointed to The Economist’s call and said foreigners do not have a say in another country’s elections. “Turkish people took their own decision and voted for one of the most remarkable parties of Turkish history,” he said. “Turkish people have spoken.”
Congratulating “the leadership of Turkey,” Ricciardone praised the Turkish nation for its high turnout for the “most important election” that the country has faced. He drew attention to the stressful atmosphere in the country, the civil war in neighboring Syria and said the peaceful election that saw “no irregularities” should lead the country to focus on its ties with its allies.
Such important issues like solving the reunification of Cyprus, the refugee crisis in the EU and further strengthening relations with the Arab world, Turkey now has the opportunity to work efficiently for its national interests in tranquility, Ricciardone said, and described the United States as a “best friend” of its NATO ally Turkey.