New constitution, presidential system urgently needed: Erdoğan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said that a new constitution and presidential system are urgent requirements for Turkey, not his personal agenda.

"A presidential system is not something new for Turkey, but part of its tradition," said Erdoğan during his speech in Istanbul which was broadcast live on television.

Erdoğan also said the presidential system will be a cure for the attempts of some parties to terrorize the parliament and the commission.

“You see what has been happening. They are trying to terrorize the parliament. You won't see such incidents when the governmental system shifts to a presidential system,” Erdoğan said.

'I won't cut my ties with past'

Erdoğan also touched upon the statement of Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, who said he would not run for the leadership of the ruling AK Party at an extraordinary congress on May 22.

In his speech on Friday, the Turkish President thanked Davutoğlu for his service.

Erdoğan also said that some people are disturbed that he follows Justice and Development Party (AK Party) developments closely. He added that he would not cut ties with his past.

"There will be no gap in Turkey's governance and the latest political developments will not impact the economy directly," Erdoğan said a day after Davutoğlu made his announcement.

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

Erdoğan also criticized the European Union (EU) for telling Turkey to change terror laws to meet a visa deal, as he said Europe has also been under threat from attacks. "We will go our way, you go yours," Erdogan said.

Erdoğan's remarks followed the European Commission report which recommended visa-free travel for Turkish citizens inside the Schengen zone, after it meets 5 of the 72 criteria that European Union demanded. These include the implementation of the Readmission agreement and protection of basic human rights in the fight against terrorism and other changes according to EU requirements.

The decision came after an agreement was reached between Turkey and the EU in November 2015 to stop migrants from traveling to Europe in return for 3 billion euro in cash, a deal on visa-free travel for Turkish citizens within the Schengen zone and renewed talks on joining the 28-nation bloc.