Turkey could hold a referendum on whether to continue membership discussions with the European Union next year, President Tayyip Erdogan has said.

The controversial leader repeated his warning to Brussels that it must "make up its mind" on Turkish membership.

European Union foreign ministers met on Monday to consider halting membership talks with Turkey over its perceived move away from democratic principles.

A military coup in July prompted President Erdogan to arrest and detain thousands of military leaders, academics, teachers and journalist on suspicion of plotting against him.

Since the failed putsch, many people have alleged on social media that the armed uprising in which more than 250 people were killed was orchestrated by the government.

In a speech in Ankara broadcast live on television, Mr Erdogan said a vote could be held on EU membership at the end of the year.

"Let's wait until the end of the year and then go to the people. Let's go to the people since they will make the final call.

"Even Britain went to the people. Britain said 'let's exit', and they left," Mr Erdogan said.

He criticised European Parliament President Martin Schulz, who said has said that the President's actions after the coup "call into question the basis for the sustainable relationship between the EU and Turkey".

"What are you?" Mr Erdogan asked, "Since when do you have the authority to decide for Turkey? How can you, who have not taken Turkey into the EU for 53 years, find the authority to make such a decision?"

"This people makes its own decisions, cuts its own umbilical cord," he said.

In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Show all 17 1 /17 In pictures: Turkey coup attempt In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish President Erdogan attends the funeral service for victims of the thwarted coup in Istanbul at Fatih mosque on July 17, 2016 in Istanbul, Turkey Burak Kara/Getty Images In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Soldiers involved in the coup attempt surrender on Bosphorus bridge with their hands raised in Istanbul on 16 July, 2016 Gokhan Tan/Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt A civilian beats a soldier after troops involved in the coup surrendered on the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey, 16 July, 2016 REUTERS/Murad Sezer In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Surrendered Turkish soldiers who were involved in the coup are beaten by a civilian Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Soliders involved in the coup attempt surrender on Bosphorus bridge Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wave flags as they capture a Turkish Army vehicle Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt People pose near a tank after troops involved in the coup surrendered on the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey, 16 July, 2016 Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish soldiers block Istanbul's Bosphorus Brigde Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt A Turkish military stands guard near the Taksim Square in Istanbul Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Pierre Crom/Twitter In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish soldiers secure the area as supporters of Recep Tayyip Erdogan protest in Istanbul's Taksim square AP In pictures: Turkey coup attempt People demonstrate in front of the Republic Monument at the Taksim Square in Istanbul Murad Sezer/Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish soldiers detain police officers during a security shutdown of the Bosphorus Bridge Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish Army armoured personnel carriers in the main streets of Istanbul Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Chaos reigned in Istanbul as tanks drove through the streets EPA/TOLGA BOZOGLU In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan speaks to media in the resort town of Marmaris Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Supporters of President Erdogan celebrate in Ankara following the suppression of the attempted coup Reuters