EU 'takes note' of Turkish court's move against ruling party

(BRUSSELS) - The European Commission gave a cautious first reaction on Monday to a Turkish court's decision to hear a case aimed at banning the ruling party by taking "note" of the development in the EU candidate country.

"We take note of the fact that the Constitutional Court found admissable the chief prosecutor's request related to the closure of the AK Party in Turkey," commission spokeswoman Krisztina Nagy told AFP.

Earlier Turkey's top court decided to judge the Islamist-rooted ruling party for alleged anti-secular activity, in a case that could threaten national stability and Ankara's bid to join the European Union.

"Before commenting this development any further, the commission needs to get more information on the exact decision of the court," Nagy said.

However, she also said that weekend remarks by EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn, who warned the decision could disrupt Turkey's negotiations on joining the EU, remained "valid."