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Turkey to codify ‘Blue Homeland’ maritime doctrine into domestic law
Turkey is preparing a legislative bill to incorporate its ‘Blue Homeland’ maritime doctrine into domestic law. The proposed legislation, being drafted by the AKP government in coordination with the Ministry of Defense and diplomatic officials, aims to establish legal frameworks for maritime jurisdiction in the Black Sea, the Aegean, and the Eastern Mediterranean.
The draft plan reportedly proposes 6 nautical miles of territorial waters in the Aegean Sea and 12 nautical miles in the Black Sea and Eastern Mediterranean. Under the new regulations, any economic, scientific, environmental, or research activities—including seabed and subsoil exploration—within the claimed zones would require mandatory prior authorization from Ankara.
A central component of the doctrine involves the concept of ‘grey zones,’ which asserts that 152 island groups and 176 islets or rocks in the Aegean are not legally assigned to Greece under international treaties. The bill is expected to be finalized in November and submitted to the Turkish Grand National Assembly before the end of 2026.
Entities
AK Party · AKP · Aegean Sea · Cihat Yaycı · Greece · Turkey · Turkish Grand National Assembly
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The doctrine claims 152 island groups and 176 islets/rocks in the Aegean are part of ‘grey zones’. www.enoplos.gr · www.stoxos.gr
- [● 4 SOURCES] Turkish authorities would require permits for economic and scientific activities in the claimed zones. www.dimokratiki.gr · www.stoxos.gr · beyazgazete.com · www.haber7.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The plan proposes 6 nautical miles of territorial waters in the Aegean Sea. www.dimokratiki.gr · www.stoxos.gr
- [● 2 SOURCES] Cihat Yaycı is identified as a key architect of the Blue Homeland doctrine. www.enoplos.gr · www.stoxos.gr
- [● 5 SOURCES] The bill is expected to be submitted to the Turkish Grand National Assembly before the end of 2026. www.enoplos.gr · www.dimokratiki.gr · www.stoxos.gr · beyazgazete.com · www.haber7.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The legislation includes legal definitions for islets in so-called ‘grey zones’. www.dimokratiki.gr · www.stoxos.gr
- [● 2 SOURCES] The plan proposes 12 nautical miles of territorial waters in the Black Sea and Eastern Mediterranean. www.dimokratiki.gr · www.stoxos.gr
- [● 5 SOURCES] Turkey is drafting a bill to incorporate the ‘Blue Homeland’ doctrine into domestic law. www.dimokratiki.gr · www.stoxos.gr · www.enoplos.gr · beyazgazete.com · www.haber7.com