Turkey prepares legislative framework to formalize Blue Homeland doctrine

The Turkish government, led by the ruling AKP, is entering the final stage of drafting legislation intended to formally integrate the 'Blue Homeland' doctrine into national law. According to reports from the broadcaster Habertürk, the legislative text is scheduled for completion in November, with the government aiming to submit the proposal to the Turkish Grand National Assembly before the end of 2026.

The proposed law seeks to codify the boundaries and regulations governing Turkey’s maritime jurisdictions, specifically focusing on the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean. While the legislation reportedly maintains current territorial sea limits of 6 nautical miles in the Aegean, it aims to establish strict regulatory frameworks for economic, scientific, and environmental activities within these contested zones.

This initiative marks a significant effort by Ankara to shift its long-standing maritime claims from political rhetoric into a rigid legal framework. The move is expected to heighten regional tensions, particularly with Greece, as it intersects with ongoing disputes over sovereignty, the status of 'gray zones,' and Turkey’s adherence to the casus belli policy regarding potential extensions of Greek territorial waters.