Turkey drafts 'Blue Homeland' law to define maritime jurisdiction

Turkey is preparing a new law – dubbed the “Blue Homeland” (Mavi Vatan) – to codify its maritime jurisdiction. The draft was prepared by the National Research Center for Maritime Law (DEHUKAM) and presented at a press briefing attended by Presidential Security and Foreign Policy Council deputy chairman Çağrı Erhan, DEHUKAM director Mustafa Başkara, board member Yücel Acer and several academics.

Erhan said he believes the draft will soon become a bill and then a law, emphasizing that Turkey aims to be a “founding actor” in evolving maritime law. Başkara described the concept of the Blue Homeland as the seas reachable by vessels flying the Turkish flag, and noted that the law will align Turkey’s maritime rights with international court decisions and treaties. Acer stressed that the legislation’s purpose is not to create tension with Greece but to strengthen Turkey’s legal position in the Aegean, including reaffirming that the waters of the Çanakkale, Marmara and Istanbul straits are internal Turkish waters.

The draft is intended as a framework law that will guide activities within Turkey’s claimed maritime zones and is expected to move quickly through the legislative process.