Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides has called for a coordinated European response if Turkey proceeds with controversial legislation aimed at formally codifying its maritime claims in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean under the so-called “Blue Homeland” doctrine.
Speaking on Monday, May 18, Christodoulides warned that the proposed Turkish “maritime jurisdiction law” would not only affect Cyprus and Greece, but also broader regional and international interests tied to international maritime law and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.
“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,” Christodoulides said.
He stressed that these interests are “based on international law” and specifically referenced the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which defines maritime boundaries and Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs).
The Cypriot President revealed he had discussed the matter with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis during his recent visit to Athens and said the issue had also been raised with European leaders.
“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,” Christodoulides said, adding that Cyprus and Greece had already taken “preventative steps” together.
The comments come amid mounting concern over reports that Turkey is preparing to introduce legislation formally enshrining its “Blue Homeland” maritime doctrine into domestic law.
According to Turkish state broadcaster TRT, the proposed legislation would codify Turkey’s claimed EEZ and continental shelf boundaries, while also addressing the legal status of disputed islands, islets and rocky formations in the Aegean Sea commonly referred to as “grey zones.”
Turkey’s Defence Ministry confirmed last week that work on the bill is nearing completion, stating that the legislation is intended to define responsibilities within Turkey’s maritime jurisdiction areas and address gaps in its domestic legal framework.
The bill is reportedly expected to be introduced to the Turkish parliament in early June following the Eid al-Adha holiday.
The issue remains one of the most sensitive geopolitical disputes in the region.
Greece maintains that its islands generate full EEZ rights under UNCLOS, while Turkey disputes that interpretation and argues many Greek islands near the Turkish coastline should not generate extensive maritime zones.
The same disagreement underpins longstanding tensions between Turkey and the Republic of Cyprus over maritime boundaries and offshore energy exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Christodoulides also warned that such developments could undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts regarding the Cyprus issue.
“It is certainly not positive to see such actions, especially at a time when a very important effort is underway on the part of the UN Secretary-General,” he said, referring to renewed United Nations-led efforts to revive negotiations on Cyprus.
