Greece warns Turkey over 'Blue Homeland' bill as foreign ministers meet in Sofia

A meeting overshadowed by the 'Blue Homeland'

Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis met Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Sofia on Wednesday, 10 June 2026, on the sidelines of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) summit. The encounter was the first between the two ministers since Turkey announced its intention to bring a bill on the 'Blue Homeland' (Mavi Vatan) doctrine before its National Assembly, a legislative initiative that Athens views as a direct challenge to Greek sovereign rights in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean.

“Unilateral actions do not produce legal effects and do not contribute to maintaining a calm climate.”

According to diplomatic sources cited by multiple Greek outlets, Gerapetritis reiterated that the sole dispute between Greece and Turkey remains the delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone and the continental shelf. The Greek side insists that any initiative concerning maritime zones and the Law of the Sea lacks legal basis and cannot create faits accomplis.

The broader agenda

Beyond the 'Blue Homeland' friction, the two ministers discussed the state of transatlantic relations ahead of a July summit in Ankara, as well as regional developments with an emphasis on the wider Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean. The Cyprus issue was also on the table, including the upcoming meeting with the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for Cyprus and the planned informal expanded meeting on the Cyprus question.

Keeping channels open

Despite the sharp Greek objections to Turkey's legislative plans, both sides agreed to maintain open communication channels. The Greek government is pursuing a dual-track approach: delivering clear messages rejecting unilateral claims while preserving a functional dialogue to avoid sliding into a new cycle of tension.

“Unilateral actions that undermine stability in the region will not be without political cost.”

Athens has already briefed European capitals, EU institutions, and international organisations on its concerns, seeking to build an early diplomatic response framework. The Turkish bill's final vote has been postponed until autumn, leaving a window for further diplomatic engagement.

The SEECP context

The meeting took place during the 30th SEECP summit in Sofia, Bulgaria, which brings together 13 participating states. The gathering provided a neutral venue for the bilateral encounter at a moment when Greek-Turkish relations are once again moving on delicate balances, with Athens monitoring Ankara's moves with heightened attention while officially maintaining the line of avoiding tension in the Aegean.