# Turkey Blue Homeland maritime doctrine legislation

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/turkey-blue-homeland-maritime-doctrine-legislation
> Updated: 2026-10-27T06:10:42.000Z. Sources: 15. Developments: 2.

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Turkey is drafting legislation to codify the ‘Blue Homeland’ (Mavi Vatan) doctrine into domestic law. The proposed legal framework aims to establish Turkey’s maritime jurisdiction, specifically focusing on the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean seas.

Key provisions of the draft include setting territorial waters at six nautical miles in the Aegean and twelve nautical miles in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. The legislation seeks to mandate prior authorization from Ankara for all economic, scientific, and environmental activities within Turkey’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), including activities involving the seabed and subsoil.

The bill also addresses the legal definition of islets and rocks within ‘grey zones,’ a move that impacts Aegean maritime boundaries and Greek sovereignty. Proponents of the doctrine, such as retired Vice Admiral Cihat Yaycı, assert that 152 island groups, consisting of 176 islets and rocks in the Aegean, were not ceded to Greece under international treaties. This legislative effort, drafted with input from the Ministry of Defense and diplomatic staff, is expected to be finalized in November and submitted to the Turkish Grand National Assembly before the end of 2026.

## Claims

- Turkey is drafting a bill to incorporate the ‘Blue Homeland’ doctrine into domestic law. (reported by 5 sources)
- The bill is expected to be submitted to the Turkish Grand National Assembly before the end of 2026. (reported by 5 sources)
- Turkish authorities would require permits for economic and scientific activities in the claimed zones. (reported by 4 sources)
- The plan proposes 6 nautical miles of territorial waters in the Aegean Sea. (reported by 2 sources)
- The plan proposes 12 nautical miles of territorial waters in the Black Sea and Eastern Mediterranean. (reported by 2 sources)
- The legislation includes legal definitions for islets in so-called ‘grey zones’. (reported by 2 sources)
- The doctrine claims 152 island groups and 176 islets/rocks in the Aegean are part of ‘grey zones’. (reported by 2 sources)
- Cihat Yaycı is identified as a key architect of the Blue Homeland doctrine. (reported by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-27: Turkey to codify ‘Blue Homeland’ maritime doctrine into domestic law

Turkey is drafting legislation to codify its ‘Blue Homeland’ doctrine, asserting maritime claims in the Aegean and Mediterranean and requiring Turkish permits for activities in claimed zones.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-prepares-legislation-to-codify-blue-homeland-maritime-claims

### 2026-10-25: Turkey prepares Blue Homeland maritime legislation

Turkey is finalizing the ‘Blue Homeland’ bill to codify maritime zones, including six-mile territorial waters in the Aegean, and requiring Ankara's authorization for EEZ activities.

12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-prepares-legislation-for-blue-homeland-maritime-zones

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Cite as: Turkey Blue Homeland maritime doctrine legislation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/turkey-blue-homeland-maritime-doctrine-legislation