(VOVworld) – Turkey could hold a referendum on whether to continue membership talks with the European Union (EU) next year.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan (Photo: EPA/VNA)

In a televised speech on Monday, Turkish President Tayip Erdogan criticized European Parliament President Martin Schulz for opening the possibility of sanctioning Ankara for arresting politicians and journalists accused of terror activities. President Erdogan cited some EU members’ calling for an end to Turkey’s EU admission bid. He said Ankara will wait until the end of this year to hold a referendum on EU membership. He added that if the parliament passes a law restoring the death penalty, he will sign it.

Erdogan’s criticism came one day after Schulz said the EU needs to consider economic sanctions against Turkey. The Turkish government has arrested politicians and journalists it says were connected to terrorist groups following a failed coup last July.