ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has slammed Western countries, saying they care more about gay and animal rights than the fate of conflict-stricken Syrians.

Addressing a large crowd Friday in northwest Turkey, Erdogan also accused the West of possessing a mindset "remnant of slavery and colonialism."

His latest anti-Western outburst came amid a standoff with the European Union over its demand that Turkey amend its anti-terrorism laws to secure visa-free travel in Europe for Turks.

Erdogan said: "Shame on those who don't show sensitivity ... to the women and children who reach out to them for help."

He added: "Shame on those who deny the sensitivity they show to ... the whales, the seals and the turtles in the sea to 23 million Syrians."