President Nikos Christodoulides has called for a strong European reaction should Turkey’s parliament pass the controversial maritime jurisdiction bill, which aligns with the country’s “Blue Homeland” doctrine.
The proposed legislation aims to codify Turkey’s maritime claims in the Aegean and Mediterranean seas, a move that Christodoulides warns would significantly impact Cyprus, Greece, and potentially other European nations. “It affects Cyprus, it affects Greece, it also affects other European states, but it also affects the United States, which has interests in this particular region,” he stated, emphasising that these interests should align with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos).
During a recent meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens, Christodoulides discussed the implications of the bill and its potential to exacerbate tensions in the region. He noted that efforts to address the Cyprus issue are currently underway, led by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and expressed hope that Turkey would refrain from what he termed illegal actions.
“We are monitoring developments. I hope Turkey will not proceed with any illegal actions. If it proceeds with any actions, the reaction should be European,” he added, indicating that preventative measures are being discussed alongside Mitsotakis.
Turkey’s defence ministry recently stated that the bill aims to clarify the responsibilities within its maritime jurisdiction areas and rectify any gaps in its domestic legal framework. Turkish sources have indicated that the legislation will define the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf boundaries, which are at the centre of ongoing disputes with Greece.
According to reports from Turkish public broadcaster TRT, the bill will also detail the legal status of islands, islets, and rocks in the Aegean, which have historically caused friction between Turkey and Greece. These areas are often referred to as ‘grey zones’, and their status will be formally incorporated into the “Blue Homeland law”.
The Turkish government has asserted that the bill will adhere to international maritime law principles. However, long-standing disagreements over maritime boundaries continue to complicate relations between Greece and Turkey. Central to this dispute is whether islands generate their own EEZs, with Greece advocating for this position under Unclos, while Turkey contests it, claiming its EEZ extends halfway across the Aegean towards the Greek mainland.
As tensions rise, the Republic of Cyprus also finds its maritime claims in conflict with those of Turkey. The Republic of Cyprus asserts its western boundary further than Turkey acknowledges, leading to further complications in the region.
Anticipation is building as the Turkish parliament is expected to address the bill in early June, following the Eid al-Adha holiday. This legislative move could alter the geopolitical landscape in the Eastern Mediterranean significantly, with President Christodoulides urging a unified European approach to address any repercussions that might arise.
