ATHENS/ANKARA, — May 18, 2026 : Greece is preparing for a possible declaration extending its territorial waters in the Aegean Sea to 12 nautical miles as Türkiye moves forward with legislation tied to its “Blue Homeland” (Mavi Vatan) maritime doctrine, according to Greek and Turkish diplomatic sources.
The developments mark a significant stage in the long-running maritime dispute between the two neighboring NATO members over territorial waters, continental shelves, exclusive economic zones (EEZs), and maritime jurisdiction in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean.
Currently, both Greece and Türkiye maintain six-nautical-mile territorial limits in the Aegean Sea. Greece argues that under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), coastal states are legally entitled to extend territorial waters up to 12 nautical miles. Athens previously expanded its territorial waters in the Ionian Sea to 12 nautical miles in 2021.
Greek diplomatic sources stated that Athens is considering administrative and legal measures related to a potential Aegean extension before Türkiye formally adopts its proposed maritime legislation. Greek officials maintain that all Greek islands possess full maritime rights under UNCLOS, including territorial seas, continental shelves, contiguous zones, and EEZs.
Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis recently reiterated that Greece retains the sovereign right to extend its territorial waters under international law. Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias also stated that Greek islands possess the same maritime rights as mainland territories under UNCLOS.
Türkiye, however, rejects the full application of island-based maritime jurisdiction in the Aegean Sea. Ankara argues that the geographical structure of the semi-enclosed sea requires special consideration and maintains that granting full maritime zones to Greek islands located close to the Turkish coast would limit Türkiye’s access to international waters.
Sources within Türkiye’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) indicated that a comprehensive maritime zones bill linked to the “Blue Homeland” doctrine is expected to be submitted to parliament after the religious holiday ending on May 31, 2026.
The proposed legislation aims to formally codify Türkiye’s maritime claims across the Black Sea, Aegean Sea, and Eastern Mediterranean into domestic law. Under the draft framework, Türkiye would preserve its current six-nautical-mile territorial limit in the Aegean while reaffirming 12-nautical-mile limits in the Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea.
The bill also reportedly includes provisions allowing the Turkish president to declare maritime areas with special status and addresses issues involving disputed “grey zones” in the Aegean. Turkish officials say the legislation is intended to strengthen the country’s domestic maritime legal framework and protect sovereign rights related to seabed resources, hydrocarbons, fisheries, and mineral exploration.
According to Turkish sources, the proposed law would require Turkish approval for economic, scientific, and environmental activities conducted within maritime areas claimed by Ankara as part of its EEZ.
The dispute remains closely tied to the 1995 resolution passed by the Turkish Grand National Assembly, which declared that any unilateral Greek extension of territorial waters beyond six nautical miles in the Aegean would constitute a casus belli, or cause for war. Turkish presidential adviser Cagri Erhan recently reaffirmed that the parliamentary resolution continues to represent official Turkish policy.
Greece has rejected Türkiye’s position, stating that maritime rights are governed by international law and not unilateral domestic legislation. Greek officials have described the proposed Turkish bill as lacking international legal validity and emphasized that UNCLOS remains the primary legal framework governing maritime jurisdiction.
The dispute over maritime boundaries has gained additional importance due to natural gas discoveries and energy exploration projects in the Eastern Mediterranean over the past two decades. Control over EEZs and seabed resources has become increasingly significant for regional energy development, offshore drilling operations, and proposed pipeline routes.
Turkish officials maintain that the “Blue Homeland” doctrine is intended to secure Türkiye’s maritime interests and prevent regional energy arrangements that exclude Ankara. Greek officials, meanwhile, continue to emphasize that maritime delimitation must be resolved through international legal mechanisms and diplomatic engagement.
Despite ongoing disagreements, diplomatic communication channels between Athens and Ankara remain active. Both governments continue discussions aimed at managing tensions in the Aegean while advancing their respective legal and strategic positions on maritime jurisdiction.
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