ANKARA - Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said Thursday that many new political reforms will follow the amendment to free speech law of Turkish Penal Code.
"We have a long way ahead. Our reform process will go on. We will make more reforms," Babacan told a joint press conference with Bosnia-Herzegovina`s FM Sven Alkalaj.
On Wednesday, Turkish parliament passed a bill to amend article 301 of Turkish penal code. Under the law, those who openly insult Turkish nation, state, parliament, legal bodies, government, military or police shall be sentenced to imprisonment terms up to 2 years. Criticism will not be a crime.
Babacan said European Commission had welcomed the amendment but added that the government had no contact with the Commission after the amendment. He also reminded that the process would be completed after the amendment is ratified by the President.
"We believe that Turkish people deserve better standards as far as fundamental rights and freedoms are concerned. We have been exerting efforts to reach these standards," he said.
Babacan also said that Turkey would support Bosnia- Herzegovina`s efforts on its way towards EU and NATO.
"We attach great importance to Bosnia-Herzegovina`s sovereignty, territorial integrity, internationally recognized borders and its independence," Babacan said.
FM Sven Alkalaj thanked Turkey for its support and said Bosnia-Herzegovina would give support to Turkey in its bid to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.
"In return, Turkey will support us for the same post for the term 2010-2011," Alkalaj said.
(TÇ-ULG)