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Azerbaijan removes references to Moscow and Kars agreements from Nakhchivan Constitution

02 February 2026 12:06 (UTC +04:00)

The Preamble of the Constitution of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is being amended, and the names of the Moscow and Kars treaties are being removed from the Nakhchivan Constitution, APA reports.

This is reflected in the draft Constitutional Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On the Approval of Amendments to the Constitution of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic,” which was submitted for discussion in the second reading at today’s session of the Milli Majlis.

The Preamble to the Constitution of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic currently in force states that the foundations of Nakhchivan's autonomy were laid by the Moscow international treaties of March 16, 1921, and the Kars international treaties of October 13, 1921, which are currently in force.

These international treaties reaffirm Nakhchivan’s status as an integral part of Azerbaijan and define its territorial boundaries. Starting from March 16, 1921, Nakhchivan was first designated as the Nakhchivan Soviet Socialist Republic; after June 16, 1923, the Nakhchivan Region; from February 9, 1924, the Nakhchivan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic; and from November 17, 1990, the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. In 1926, the first Constitution of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic was adopted, followed by the second in 1937 and the third in 1978. This Constitution of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is based on the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, adopted by nationwide vote (referendum) on November 12, 1995.

The proposed new version of the Preamble states that the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is an inseparable part of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The basis of this Constitution of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is formed by the principles enshrined in the Declaration dated August 30, 1991 “On the Restoration of the State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan,” and in the Constitutional Act dated October 18, 1991 “On the State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan,” as well as by the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan adopted by a nationwide vote - referendum on November 12, 1995.

Following the discussions, the draft law was adopted in the second reading.