Turkey prepares new legislation on maritime jurisdiction zones

The Turkish government is preparing to submit a new legislative package to the Grand National Assembly following the Eid al-Adha holiday, which concludes on May 30. This legislation aims to formally codify Turkey's maritime jurisdiction claims in the Aegean, Mediterranean, and Black Seas, effectively institutionalizing the 'Blue Homeland' (Mavi Vatan) doctrine into domestic law. Turkish officials, supported by technical reports from the Naval Forces and Coast Guard, state that the law will define the rules for Turkey's own zones. Greek government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis dismissed the initiative as having no validity under international law, emphasizing that Greece adheres strictly to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Experts and European officials have expressed concern that this move could escalate regional tensions by formalizing territorial disputes. Ankara maintains that the law provides a domestic legal framework for state activities, though it clarifies that it does not intend to spark conflict. Meanwhile, Greek MEPs and international analysts have warned that this legislative shift risks undermining diplomatic efforts and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.