Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL)
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) and Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), 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.
The full letter is linked here and below.
Dear Secretary Rubio,
We write to express severe concern regarding reports that Turkey is considering legislation to codify the “Blue Homeland” (Mavi Vatan) doctrine into Turkish law. We urge the Department of State to oppose publicly any such effort and communicate directly to Turkish officials that formalizing expansive and heavily disputed maritime claims would undermine regional stability, energy cooperation, NATO cohesion, and U.S. national security interests.
The United States has a strong interest in preserving peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and has long supported initiatives that strengthen energy diversification and resilience among allies and partners. Codification of the Blue Homeland doctrine directly challenges the intent of the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act of 2019, which we worked so hard to get passed into law. Maritime tensions and legal uncertainty surrounding energy development and infrastructure projects will discourage investment, impede regional cooperation, and weaken broader efforts to reduce strategic vulnerabilities.
It would undermine NATO at a critical moment. As the Alliance continues to face unprecedented challenges, disputes among NATO allies divert military resources, diplomatic attention, and political capital away from shared security priorities. Alliance cohesion remains one of the United States’ greatest strategic advantages, and actions that deepen divisions among allies or risks conflict ultimately benefit America’s adversaries.
Most importantly, it would increase risks in a strategically vital operating environment for U.S. forces. The Eastern Mediterranean remains essential to U.S. and allied military operations linking Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. Escalating maritime disputes increase the likelihood of incidents, miscalculation, and crises that could threaten regional stability and require American intervention and diplomatic management.
The United States has consistently supported freedom of navigation, peaceful dispute resolution, and the resolution of maritime disagreements through diplomacy and internationally recognized legal principles. Codifying controversial and disputed maritime claims into domestic law risks setting a troubling precedent and reducing opportunities for negotiated solutions.
Accordingly, we respectfully urge 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 in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Turkey is an important NATO ally, but codification of the Blue Homeland doctrine is a direct threat to American interests and steadfast American allies across the region. A clear statement from the United States opposing the codification of disputed maritime claims would reinforce longstanding American interests in regional stability, alliance unity, and American national security.