Turkey tables 'Blue Homeland' maritime law, sparking Greek diplomatic push

Turkey's parliament is set to vote on a 15‑point maritime law that formalises the "Blue Homeland" (Mavi Vatan) doctrine into national legislation. The draft revises sovereign rights in the surrounding seas, limits Greece's potential expansion of its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles in the Aegean, and declares any such move a cause for war. It also grants Ankara authority to designate un‑delimited zones as "special maritime areas", permitting Turkish control over seismic surveys, drilling and fishing.

Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis warned that Greece will activate strong legal measures and is considering the creation of extensive sea parks throughout the Aegean as a counter‑response. The dispute also involves Cyprus, whose exclusive economic zone is linked to a regional energy corridor that includes the Great Sea Interconnector and the EastMed gas pipeline. The European Union has backed Greece and Cyprus, viewing Turkey's unilateral legal changes as a threat to collective energy security and international law.

Both sides are preparing diplomatic and legal strategies as the countdown to the Turkish bill's submission begins, raising concerns of heightened tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean.