Nikos Androulakis, leader of Greece’s PASOK party, has called on Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to secure a formal condemnation of Turkey in the conclusions of the European Council. His remarks follow the Turkish Parliament’s passage of a law codifying the controversial and internationally disputed ‘Blue Homeland’ doctrine — a maritime expansionist concept that PASOK describes as illegal under international law.
Direct Threat to Sovereignty and International Law
Speaking during the summit of leaders from the Party of European Socialists (PES), Androulakis stated that Turkey’s ‘Blue Homeland’ policy represents a direct challenge to Greek sovereign rights and the principles of international law. He highlighted PASOK’s leadership — alongside the PES and the S&D Group in the European Parliament — in spearheading the resolution condemning Turkey’s actions.
“The adoption of this law by the Turkish Grand National Assembly, which codifies the illegal ‘Blue Homeland’ doctrine, is a direct assault on our sovereign rights and on international law,” Androulakis said.
He noted that the European Parliament had already condemned Turkey the previous day — a move initiated by PASOK and the S&D Group — calling it an “undisputed national success.”
Pushing for Stronger EU Action
Androulakis urged the Greek government not to rest on this achievement. Instead, he stressed that the prime minister must now translate this momentum into concrete action at the highest level of EU decision-making: “Rather than celebrating, the government must ensure an equivalent decision is included in the conclusions of the European Council that the prime minister is attending.”
“European solidarity must not be a blank check,” he added.
Broadening the Focus: Cohesion and Fairness in the EU Budget
Androulakis also addressed broader EU budget priorities, emphasizing that reducing social and regional inequalities must remain central. To that end, he argued against any cuts to the EU’s Cohesion Funds and the Common Agricultural Policy — key instruments supporting economic convergence and rural development across member states.