The Azerbaijani authorities have removed the names of the Moscow and Kars Treaties from the constitution of the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhchivan, Azerbaijani media report.

“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. 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,’” APA news agency noted.

“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,” APA added.

“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. (...). Following the discussions, the draft law was adopted [in the Azerbaijani parliament] in the second reading,” APA concludes.

According to the abovementioned declaration, Azerbaijan claims almost the entire territory of Armenia.