Baku: Azerbaijan is set to amend the Preamble of the Constitution of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic by removing references to the Moscow and Kars treaties. This development was reported by APA, highlighting a significant constitutional change in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic's legal framework.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the draft Constitutional Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan titled 'On the Approval of Amendments to the Constitution of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic' was presented for discussion during the second reading at the Milli Majlis. The current Preamble indicates that the autonomy of Nakhchivan was established under the Moscow international treaties of March 16, 1921, and the Kars international treaties of October 13, 1921. These treaties have historically affirmed Nakhchivan's status as an integral part of Azerbaijan and outlined its territorial boundaries.

Historically, Nakhchivan's political evolution began on March 16, 1921, when it was designated as the Nakhchivan Soviet Socialist Republic. Subsequent changes included its designation as the Nakhchivan Region on June 16, 1923, and later as the Nakhchivan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic on February 9, 1924. It became the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic on November 17, 1990. The first Constitution of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic was adopted in 1926, followed by subsequent constitutions in 1937 and 1978. The current Constitution of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic aligns with the Republic of Azerbaijan's Constitution, adopted through a nationwide referendum on November 12, 1995.

The proposed new version of the Preamble emphasizes that the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic remains an inseparable part of the Republic of Azerbaijan. It bases its principles on the Declaration dated August 30, 1991, 'On the Restoration of the State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan,' the Constitutional Act dated October 18, 1991, 'On the State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan,' and the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan adopted on November 12, 1995.

The draft law was successfully adopted in the second reading following discussions.