'We'll go our way, you can go yours'

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday warned the European Union that Ankara will not change its anti-terrorism law, despite it being a condition laid down by Brussels to ensure visa-free travel for Turks.

"The EU says: you will change the anti-terror law for visas," Erdogan said in a televised speech in Istanbul. "Pardon me but we are going our way and you can go yours."

Erdogan was speaking one day after Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, who had championed the accord with european leaders, announced that he was stepping down.

Turkey must complete five more benchmarks by the end of next month to complete the EU's list of 72 criteria -- which include changes to anti-terror law as well as protection of personal data.

The promise of visa-free travel for Turks is a key pillar of a deal between Brussels and Ankara to reduce the flow of migrants from Turkish territory to the European Union.

A Turkish official said this week talks with the EU were under way to meet the five remaining criteria including changes to the anti-terror law.

Earlier, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she expects Turkey to stick to the migrant deal to limit refugee flows to the EU even after the announced resignation of its prime minister.