The recent parliamentary visit to Turkey on Council of Europe business was very short. Barely a day and a half in Gaziantep, which is the troubled South Eastern part of the country, and a brief one-night stop over in Istanbul.

Nevertheless, from discussions which we had with Turkish politicians and business people as well as from what we could follow in the media, it seems that Turkey is very much at the crossroads on various issues – not only the EU question, but well beyond too.

Quite predictably, many of my colleague parliamentarians were interested in taking up the introductory part of the meeting in quizzing our Turkish hosts on various issues – from the EU to human rights and the current role of the military.

On their part, the Turks emphasised something that many either were not aware of or else had forgotten about – primarily that they are founding members of the Council of Europe even though they were suspended for a time during the military junta rule.

The Turkish side reminded us that once (or if) they join the EU this would mean that the EU would have a common border with Iran, Iraq and Syria among others.

They also reminded us that EU full membership was always their final objective and that customs union was merely looked upon as a stepping-stone for membership.

They were irritated by French, German and Austrian objections to their membership and also pointed out to us that they were a proud, sensitive and touchy people. Nevertheless they hinted that their reform process would be speeded up – an assurance which incidentally their Foreign Minister gave the French authorities the day after we met.

While I was in Turkey the media were dominated by Sarokzy’s critical position on their prospective membership with their chief negotiator claiming “Yes we will (join)” and Sarkozy countering: “No, you won’t.”

The Turks argue that their membership would actually be of benefit to the EU itself since they believe that the EU is a peace project and should consequently build bridges with neighbour states with whom it might have difficult relations. Their negotiator also hinted that a new technical formula to resolve the Cyprus dispute is on the way and that that the concrete results of the new suggestions will materialise soon.

Sarkozy’s reaction must be seen within the confines of a vision of a radically overhauled EU with streamlined institutions and union-wide political parties but without Turkey as a member. He even called for talks with Turkey to be suspended arguing that they should deepen relations with it but without going as far as full membership. It was no coincidence that when the Turkish Foreign Minister Gul went to France no meetings were planned with Sarkozy.

Vacancies galore

I have long been commenting about the rush to engage new people with government entities as well as to fill “vacant” headship positions in the public sector.

While Heritage Malta is expected to take on some 30 new people over a span of a month and a half, a circular issued by the OPM on 31 August shows that vacancies for filling of headship positions exist in various ministries – from the OPM to the Finance Ministry, from the Justice and Home Affairs Ministry to the Competitiveness and Communications Ministry as well as the ministries of health, for investment and for family and social solidarity.

Does anybody deny that the election is getting closer?

Conflict of interest

Although I had been critical of Gordon Cordina’s appointment as director general heading the NSO, I was comforted when he stated on Super 1 TV that he was going to give up his role as consultant and economist in order to provide statistics without passing comments on them.

One has to remember that Mr Cordina has served the government in various plum consultancy positions and has also addressed a Nationalist Party mass meeting on the eve of the EU referendum.

Alas, I was in for a disappointment when the day after, I read his comments in a weekly business magazine where he ended up interpreting statistics once again, cautioning against the interpretation of our stock build-ups as a negative economic indicator.

He even felt the need to point out to us poor souls that this could also be an indication that companies are importing raw materials in bulk or stock piling for future exports.

He also had to remind us that figures are based on surveys conducted at a point in time and that it is not advisable to read too much in these figures particularly since these figures are estimated and could be consequently revised.

Is this a case of conflict of interest or am I simply over-reacting?

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Leo Brincat is the opposition spokesman on foreign affairs and IT