The Blue Homeland Test: Come On, Publish That Permit Document!..

While we are surrounded by seas on three sides and enemies on four, a debate over the "Blue Homeland" (Mavi Vatan) erupted last week. The reason for the debate was CHP Istanbul Deputy Namık Tan criticizing the AKP's foreign policy by saying, "It has backtracked quite quickly from the Blue Homeland fairy tale it once clung to."

Looking at the diplomats who worked with Atatürk, who founded the CHP, and with late CHP leaders İnönü, Ecevit, and Baykal, compared to the diplomats who have recently taken positions in the CHP, one cannot help but feel regret. It is evident that our diplomats who achieved historical treaties and successes have been replaced by transformed diplomats, and unfortunately, this transformation has also reflected on the CHP!..

Naturally, after those words from Namık Tan, we saw AKP members and MHP Leader Devlet Bahçeli lining up to show their reaction.

For instance, AKP Spokesperson Ömer Çelik stated that Tan had drifted to the point of defending the claims of Greece and other states.

AKP Deputy Hulusi Akar, who was Chief of General Staff and Minister of National Defense during the period when Greece occupied our islands in the Aegean and armed them in violation of the Treaty of Lausanne, pounded the parliamentary podium and said, "The Blue Homeland is indivisible and inseparable. The fate of those who want to divide it is known," before noting that our citizens were asking about the color of Namık Tan's passport.

Finally, Erdoğan criticized both the CHP and, without naming him, Namık Tan with the following expressions:

"They are using the authority given by the nation not to defend the country's interests, but to salute those who oppose Turkey. This is called irresponsibility, lack of consciousness, and negligence... We expect a local and national stance from the CHP only on national issues. If the CHP management cannot manage to contribute even on such matters, at least let them not harm our country with such unfortunate statements. It is enough that they do not cast a shadow; we do not ask for any other favor from them... Our line and our character are clear. We are not a country whose bread is taken when its head is struck. We have never been like that in any period of our history. We neither reach for the rights of others nor let anyone eat away at our rights."

The Pot Calling the Kettle Black Issue

Since we know that the AKP has long beaten the CHP over the actions of a party member in the most remote corner, we thought this debate would drag on. But whether it is due to the intensity of the agenda, the knowledge that the AKP had long assigned Namık Tan to important embassies like Israel and Washington, or the fear of being told "the pot is calling the kettle black," it is unknown; the reactions subsided, and the topic fell off the agenda.

Strange Crisis in the Aegean

Namık Tan made those remarks on July 27, the day the Somalia motion was discussed in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM).

A few days before this, it was alleged that there was tension regarding an Italian ship attempting to enter Turkish maritime jurisdiction in the southern Aegean. According to Greek media; Turkish and Greek warships faced off at Kasos (Çoban Adası), our UAV went to the region, Greece ordered its F-16s in Crete to take off, and meanwhile, the Turkish and Greek Foreign Ministers were in contact during the crisis.

Following these allegations, the Ministry of National Defense sources made the following statement at their weekly press briefing:

"Navigational notices, some of which enter our Maritime Jurisdiction Areas, were published by Greece regarding the activities to be carried out by the Italian-flagged R/V IEVOLI RELLUME cable-laying ship on July 21. Regarding the matter, we immediately published navigational notices of objection and stated that permission must be obtained from the authorities of the Republic of Turkey to carry out work in areas entering our Maritime Jurisdiction. On July 22, the ship in question was warned not to enter our Maritime Jurisdiction and was blocked by our ships. As a result of the coordination carried out later, permission was granted to carry out work at the specified coordinates, and it completed its activity under the escort of our Naval Forces ships and left our continental shelf. The activities of the ship in question are being closely followed by our Naval Forces elements in the region. We thank the Greek and Italian authorities who respect our maritime jurisdiction and cooperate."

According to the pro-government media; "The game in the Eastern Mediterranean had been spoiled"... Moreover, this short-lived tension brought about a historic step; Greek authorities had asked Ankara for permission for the cable-laying ship's activities. And the meaning of that permission was "Greece's acceptance of our maritime jurisdiction."

The statements and reactions from Greece, however, were completely different.

While Defense Ministry sources said, "No 'respect' has been shown, nor will it be shown in the future, to Turkey's illegal actions within the region legally delimited between Greece and Egypt, as foreseen and mandated by the Greek Constitution, by the Hellenic Armed Forces," Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis, who is seen as a "dove" in the eyes of Ankara, described the Turkey-Libya agreement as "so-called, invalid and illegal" and denied the claim that permission was obtained from Turkey.

Why Was the Interior Minister's Visit Canceled?

We are in a process of "normalization" with Greece; whatever happened, in the end, this crisis also ended without escalating further.

However, last Tuesday, Greek media announced that Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya had canceled his one-day visit to Athens. It was suggested that the reason for the cancellation was the crisis that occurred last week.

If the crisis was resolved, what was the reason for this cancellation? Moreover, who was the party that actually canceled it?

Or perhaps Greece, which acts as it pleases in the Aegean, could not stomach the claim that "permission was obtained"?

Let's look at the statements made by Greek Foreign Minister Gerapetritis two days after the cancellation of Yerlikaya's visit.

Stating, "In any case, we must continue to protect our sovereign rights and resolve problems through dialogue," he explained the following:

"Regarding Kasos, there is serious disinformation. The truth is that the Italian research ship completed its research as planned and even beyond. There is no risk of any 'hot incident' with Turkey. From the beginning, communication channels worked effectively at all levels to ensure the de-escalation of tension, the withdrawal of Turkish ships, and the completion of the research. There has been no direct or indirect recognition of any Turkish claim. No permission was obtained from Turkey for this research to be carried out. Permission was never requested. Furthermore, international law does not require such permission."

Our Ministry of National Defense says, "Permission was obtained," and Greece denies it.

As retired Rear Admiral Cihat Yaycı points out, this "permission" issue is important. Because it shows that "Greece and Italy accept the Turkey-Libya agreement," and therefore "our Exclusive Economic Zone borders in the West, the part of the Blue Homeland in the Eastern Mediterranean." Again, in Yaycı's words, it is a "very important legal document in our hands, regardless of what Greece says."

Yaycı, who also points out the way to a solution in response to Greece's attitude, requested that the original text of that permit request, which has nothing secret about it, be shared with the public.

Yes, without worrying about "Let's not offend Greece," come on, publish it so we can see how the Blue Homeland is being protected!..