The European Union (EU) would react strongly in case Turkey's highest court decided to shut down the country's ruling party, a European lawmaker said on Tuesday.

"Closing a ruling party is something that we find hard to understand and the Union would surely give a strong reaction in such a case. But I would not advise to stop or to suspend the negotiations process," said Joost Lagendijk, EP member and co-chairman of a joint Turkey-EU parliamentary committee, during a visit to the southeastern province of Gaziantep.

"I believe that what is happening right now or what is about to happen within the next two months will not hinder politically the goal of full membership. Yet all minds and eyes are set on the closure case against the Justice and Development (AK) Party," Lagendijk said.

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