Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday accused European countries of hypocrisy in pressing his country on terror laws while "sidelining democracy" at home in their own fight against terrorism.

"Those who criticise us are reduced to sidelining democracy and freedoms when bombs started to explode on their soil," Erdogan said in a speech in the southeastern city of Malatya.

Last week, the European Commission said Turkey had to meet five objectives, including changes to its anti-terror law, to gain visa-free travel to its passport-free area under a deal to curb the influx of migrants to the European Union.