The issue of the Turkish bill codifying the “Blue Homeland” is being brought before the European Parliament’s Plenary by the Vice-President of the Group of Socialists and Democrats and Head of PASOK’s MEPs, G. Maniatis.
Ahead of next week’s plenary debate on the report on Turkey, G. Maniatis successfully tabled an amendment in which the European Parliament expresses its concern regarding the relevant bill, which appears to codify Turkey’s “Blue Homeland” doctrine. As the amendment specifically notes, in this case the bill would be in complete contravention of international law, and it calls on Turkey not to proceed with its adoption.
Furthermore, in the same amendment, the European Parliament calls on Turkey to respect the sovereign rights of Member States in accordance with international law and the Law of the Sea, the right to define an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf, as well as the right to explore and exploit natural resources.
At the same time, another amendment, also tabled on the initiative of G. Maniatis, specifically refers to the need to protect the property rights of the Greek minority in Istanbul and the community hospitals, as well as the reopening of the Halki Theological School and the need to lift restrictions on the education and appointment of clergy, which directly concerns the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Both amendments were tabled following a proposal by G. Maniatis, by the European Parliament’s Rapporteur on Turkey, Socialist MEP Nacho Sánchez Amor. The debate in the Plenary will take place next Tuesday, June 16.