Baku: At today's session of the Milli Majlis, the draft constitutional law of the Republic of Azerbaijan 'On Approval of Amendments to the Constitution of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic' was discussed in its second reading.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the draft law proposes several changes, including the addition of two new articles to the Constitution of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, the removal of one existing article, and amendments to various other articles and the Preamble.

The draft law stipulates that the provision in Part III of Article 134 of the Azerbaijani Constitution, which recognizes Nakhchivan as an integral part of Azerbaijan, will be included in the Preamble of Nakhchivan's Constitution. Additionally, a new Article 3-1 is proposed, establishing 'The Authorized Representative Office of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.' This office will be led by an appointee of the President of Azerbaijan and will fulfill presidential duties within Nakhchivan.

Another proposal introduces Article 28-1, which outlines the conditions under which the Supreme Assembly of Nakhchivan can be dissolved by the President of Azerbaijan. This dissolution could occur either at the request of 31 deputies or if the Assembly cannot fulfill its constitutional duties.

The draft also calls for the removal of Article 5, which pertains to 'The Highest Official of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.' It proposes that elections for the Supreme Assembly will be scheduled by the President of Azerbaijan, following suggestions from the Assembly's Chairman.

Moreover, the draft allows for closed sessions of the Supreme Assembly under specific conditions proposed by either the President or the Milli Majlis. Legislative procedures for the Supreme Assembly will require a majority vote of 31 for election laws and 23 for other matters. The residency requirement for the Chairman of the Supreme Assembly is also set to be removed.

Appointments of local executive authorities will be made by the President of Azerbaijan, based on nominations from the Chairman of the Supreme Assembly. The Cabinet of Ministers in Nakhchivan will no longer be subordinate to the Supreme Assembly, determining its procedures in coordination with the Azerbaijani President.

Furthermore, the draft specifies that actions by the Assembly's Chairman will be termed 'orders' instead of 'decisions.' Amendments to Nakhchivan's Constitution will be adopted as laws rather than constitutional laws.

After the discussions, the draft law passed the second vote in the Milli Majlis. Constitutional laws require two votes in the Milli Majlis, with the second taking place six months after the first. These laws are then sent to the President of Azerbaijan for approval, becoming effective once signed after the second vote.

Source: Azeri-Press news agency