Erdogan refuses to bow to key condition on visas

Ankara: Turkey`s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday accused the European Union of "hypocrisy" for telling Ankara to adapt its counter-terror laws in return for visa-free travel to the Schengen area.

"The EU stands up and says `soften your approach over the terrorist organisation`," Erdogan said in a speech in Ankara, referring to Turkey`s battle against Kurdistan Workers` Party (PKK) rebels. "Since when are you running this country?" he asked, accusing the bloc of "hypocrisy".