Prime Minister of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Photo: wiki commons.

Embattled Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan maintained his defiant tone Thursday, lashing out at the European Parliament for its criticism of the Turkish government’s handling of protests in his country.

Erdogan said he did not recognize “decisions made by the European Parliament,” Hurriyet Daily News reported. The prime minister added that the body’s decisions were not binding for Turkey, which is not an EU member.

Erdogan echoed similar sentiments Wednesday as the parliament prepared to pass a non-binding motion for a resolution that expressed its concern over “the disproportionate and excessive use of force” by Turkish police.

The EU assembly also said it “deplores the reactions of the Turkish Government and of Prime Minister Erdogan” — and accused him of polarizing Turkey during the protests.

Turkey’s European Affairs Ministry also criticized the European Parliament, accusing the Parliament of “getting excited in the heat of the moment.”

“Some Parliaments should understand that there is a price for talking so freely and boldly about Turkey’s domestic affairs. They should not be fooled by manipulations and slander and be part of dirty plans both national and international,” the statement said.

“Turkey is a democratic, secular state of law that knows fully how to govern within its own democratic tradition. I hope that they have calculated the price of getting excited in the heat of the moment and target not just our government but the Turkish Republic as well,” the statement added.