New US Ambassador to Turkey arrives in Ankara

ANKARA - Anadolu Agency

New US Ambassador to Turkey John Bass. Hürriyet photo / Rıza Özel

The new U.S. Ambassador to Turkey John Bass has arrived in Ankara.

Giving a short speech in the Turkish capital's airport on Oct. 18, Bass described Turkey and the U.S. as "long-time friends and strategic partners."

"I have been to Turkey many times and loved it. I am very happy about the idea of living here now," he added.
      
The U.S. Senate confirmed 50-year-old Bass as the new ambassador to Ankara on Sept. 17 and he was sworn in on Oct. 7 in Washington DC.
      
He was nominated in June but his nomination was held up by the Senate until after the August recess.
      
Bass is a Syracuse University graduate and was U.S. ambassador to Georgia from 2009 to 2012.
      
He speaks French and Italian and was head of the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Iraq from 2008 to 2009.
      
Bass was also the special advisor to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry before being confirmed as the envoy to Turkey by the U.S. Senate.