Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has again hit at the European Union for demanding that his country reform its anti-terrorism legislation as part of a deal that would allow Turkish citizens visa-free travel in Europe.

In a speech at a rally in the southeastern city of Malatya Saturday, Erdogan also said that the Islamic world looks up to Turkey because it "defies" the world.

The EU is asking Turkey to revise its broad terrorism legislation as part the visa deal, which is part of a wider agreement in which Turkey would helping halt the flood of migrants to Europe.

Erdogan is pressing for an extended definition of terrorism at a time when the country is faced with the twin threats from Kurdish militants and the Islamic State group.