Washington, DC: Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) and Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Hellenic Israel Alliance (CHIA), sent a bipartisan letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging the Department of State to publicly oppose any effort by Turkey to codify the controversial “Blue Homeland” (Mavi Vatan) doctrine into Turkish law. The lawmakers warned that formalizing Turkey’s expansive and heavily disputed maritime claims would threaten stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, undermine NATO cohesion, jeopardize regional energy cooperation, and negatively affect U.S. national security interests.
The letter states: “The United States has a longstanding interest in promoting stability, security, and cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean. Turkey’s reported consideration of legislation to codify the Blue Homeland doctrine would further inflame regional tensions, challenge internationally recognized maritime norms, and threaten important partnerships that strengthen our collective security. At a time when NATO must remain united against growing global threats, actions that deepen divisions among allies serve only to benefit our adversaries.”
Bilirakis and Schneider emphasized that codification of the Blue Homeland doctrine would directly undermine the objectives of the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act of 2019, landmark legislation that strengthened strategic cooperation among the United States, Greece, Cyprus, and Israel while advancing regional energy security and diversification. They further noted that increased maritime tensions and legal uncertainty could discourage investment, delay critical energy and infrastructure projects, and weaken broader efforts to reduce strategic vulnerabilities throughout the region.
“The Eastern Mediterranean remains a strategically vital region for the United States and our allies,” the lawmakers continued. “The United States must continue to champion freedom of navigation, peaceful dispute resolution, and adherence to internationally recognized legal principles. Any attempt to formalize disputed maritime claims through domestic legislation risks increasing instability, heightening the potential for conflict, and diminishing opportunities for diplomatic solutions.”
In the letter, Bilirakis and Schneider urged Secretary Rubio and the Department of State to:
- Publicly oppose any Turkish legislation that codifies the Blue Homeland doctrine or otherwise formalizes disputed maritime claims;
- Communicate U.S. concerns directly to senior Turkish officials;
- Reaffirm U.S. support for freedom of navigation, peaceful dispute resolution, and internationally recognized maritime norms; and
- Work with allies and partners to preserve stability, reduce tensions, and strengthen cooperation throughout the Eastern Mediterranean.
The lawmakers concluded that while Turkey remains an important NATO ally, codification of the Blue Homeland doctrine would represent a direct challenge to American strategic interests and the security of key U.S. partners in the region. They stressed that a clear and unequivocal response from the United States would reinforce longstanding American commitments to regional stability, alliance unity, and national security.
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