Nakhchivan, the ancient region of Azerbaijan, has historically passed a complicated and at the same time glorious path full of difficult trials. This land with centuries-old traditions of statehood has always preserved the rich cultural heritage of our people and played an invaluable role in the socio-economic, social and political life of our country. The establishment of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic has become an important event in the political history of Azerbaijan.

In the 20s of the 20th century, the land of Nakhchivan faced very difficult and complex events, it was separated from Azerbaijan with the loss of Zangezur, and our insidious enemy, the Armenian nationalists, used all means to capture Nakhchivan. However, the heroic people of Nakhchivan did not allow the region to be invaded, protected it and managed to unite it with Azerbaijan.

One of the most important aspects that complicated the events at that time was the position taken by a number of major states and their use of different ways to transfer the land of Nakhchivan to Armenia. One of these states took the path of sovietizing Armenia by creating a general governorship, another by forming a neutral or neutral zone, and the third by ceding lands. Armenians' claims were that during the administrative territorial division in the South Caucasus, they had a small share. However, they did not want to understand that the real inhabitants and owners of the territories are Azerbaijanis.

In the 20s of the 20th century, the goal of Bolshevik Russia, like other states, was to give Nakhchivan to Armenia, thereby cutting off the connection of the Turkic world with each other. The Armenian Dashnaks took advantage of the existing conditions and carried out a policy of adding a number of lands of Azerbaijan to "Greater Armenia". The conquest of Nakhchivan was at the forefront of their intentions. Armenians clearly stated that "Armenia cannot live without Nakhchivan and Sharur." However, the heroic people of Nakhchivan bravely responded to the Armenian raids and did not allow the intentions of the insidious enemies to come true.

Talking about the heroism of the people of Nakhchivan, the head of the government of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, Nasib Bey Yusifbeyli, said in his speech in the Parliament of Azerbaijan: "The brave people of Nakhchivan, the people of Sharur... solved this issue themselves. Risking their lives, the honor of their families and their wealth, they stood up and freed themselves to join their native land - the Motherland, thereby making the work of the government easier."

At a time when Armenia's claims to Nakhchivan were increasing - on July 7, 1918, the Turkish army headed by Kazim Garabakir Pasha arrived in Nakhchivan and helped the local population to prevent Armenian arbitrariness. However, due to their defeat in the First World War and the terms of the Mudros Treaty, the Turkish troops had to leave Azerbaijan as well as Nakhchivan.

On November 18, 1918, the people of Nakhchivan created a republic called the Araz-Turkish Republic in order to protect this land from the Armenian occupation. The composition of the government headed by Amir Bey Narimanbeyov consisted of 6 members. 8.7 thousand square kilometers from Mehri to Sardarabad belonged to the republic. The main goal of establishing this republic was to prevent the region from falling under Armenian occupation. In a short time, military forces consisting of 20 battalions and 500 cavalry regiments were formed. The determination of the people of the republic to protect their independence was so great that the volunteer groups defending their native hearth and lands not only defeated the invaders, but at the same time frightened Yerevan itself. Under the leadership of III Kalbali Khan, the 6,000-strong volunteer resistance forces defeated the Armenian military forces. O. Kachaznuni, the first prime minister of the Republic of Armenia, openly admitted this in his speech in 1923. In addition to the forces of the Araz-Turkish Republic, Jafargulu Khan, Rahim Khan, III Kalbali Khan, Karim Khan, Bahram Khan and local intellectuals made great contributions to the defense of Nakhchivan.

At that time, the British and Americans were very eager to give Nakhchivan to Armenian "management". However, the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, the Muslim National Council and the people of Nakhchivan did not allow it.

After the fall of the Araz-Turk Republic, the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic created the Nakhchivan Governorate. First, Bahram Khan Nakhchivanski became the governor-general, and then Samad Bey Jamilinski.

In April 1920, the Bolshevik government was established in Azerbaijan. Soviet power was announced in Nakhchivan on July 28 and a Military Revolutionary Committee was established. On August 10, the chairman of the Nakhchivan Military Revolutionary Committee, M. Bektashov, sent a letter to Nariman Narimanova, the chairman of the Azerbaijan SSR SSR: "By the decision of the majority of the people of Nakhchivan, the country of Nakhchivan considers itself an integral part of the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic."

The determined position and struggle of the Azerbaijani population of Nakhchivan disrupted the plans of the Armenians regarding Nakhchivan. Even the big states could not help them in this matter. On December 28, 1920, the Armenians and the Armenian Revolutionary Committee, who have concealed their insidious intentions, recognized Nakhchivan as an independent Soviet republic and renounced their claims regarding this land.

However, the people of Nakhchivan did not imagine themselves separate from Azerbaijan. Even at that time, they expressed their firm opinion as follows: "This nation will agree to perish in the flames of civilized states, but will not separate from Azerbaijan." Thanks to the decisive position and principles of N. Narimanov and his close comrades-in-arms, the attempt to unite Nakhchivan to Armenia failed. In an opinion poll held in January 1921, 90 percent of the population of Nakhchivan voted for the land to remain part of Azerbaijan under the right of an autonomous republic.

Behbud agha Shahtakhtinsky also had great work and historical services in Nakhchivan remaining part of Azerbaijan. He made useful suggestions about the Nakhchivan region in his letters, telegrams and references to Lenin. Thus, the result of the referendum, the proposal of B. Shakhtakhtinsky, the fair approach of the Turkish side resulted in ensuring Azerbaijan's sovereignty over Nakhchivan and Nakhchivan remaining within Azerbaijan. On March 16, 1921, the Politburo adopted a decision on the organization of the Nakhchivan Soviet Republic under the auspices of Azerbaijan, and this aspect was reflected in Article 3 of the Moscow Treaty signed on the same day: "Nakhchivan Province within the borders specified in Annex I (C) of this treaty Under the auspices of Azerbaijan, that protectorate constitutes an autonomous territory under the condition that Azerbaijan does not make concessions to any third country.

The Kars Treaty, signed on October 13, 1921 between Azerbaijan, Georgia, the Armenian SSR and Turkey with the participation of the Russian representative, once again confirmed the issue of Nakhchivan's territorial affiliation and definitively defined its borders. Unlike the Moscow Treaty, Article V of the Kars Treaty defined the parties that agreed on the status of Nakhchivan - these were the governments of Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Armenia.

From 1921 to 1924, that is, from the status of autonomy to the organization of an autonomous republic, there were numerous discussions. One issue was clear in these discussions, that the organization of autonomy of Nakhchivan within Azerbaijan was related to the specific territorial situation - geopolitical conditions of the region. The separation of Nakhchivan from Azerbaijan and the fact that it does not have any common border did not allow it to organize its administrative management in district or district rights. On June 16, 1923, Nakhchivan was named an autonomous region. On February 9, 1924, the Presidium of the Azerbaijan MIC adopted a decree on the transformation of the Nakhchivan region into the Nakhchivan MSSR.

The establishment of the legal basis of the autonomous status of Nakhchivan was determined by the Statute approved in April 1924 and the first Constitution of the Nakhchivan MSSR adopted on April 18, 1926 and subsequent constitutions.

During his visit to the Republic of Turkey in March and August 1992, during his visit to the Republic of Turkey, National Leader Heydar Aliyev brought up the Moscow and Kars agreements again. By directing the attention of the world community to Armenia's aggressive policy, the genius leader gave a second life to the autonomy status of Nakhchivan and achieved the first and biggest international political defeat of Armenia.

The Constitution of the independent Republic of Azerbaijan, adopted on November 12, 1995, played an important role in the legal strengthening of the autonomous status of Nakhchivan. The first paragraph of Article 134 of the Constitution states: "The Autonomous Republic of Nakhchivan is an autonomous state within the Republic of Azerbaijan. The status of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is determined by this Constitution..."

On the basis of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, a new Constitution of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic was prepared and approved by the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan on December 29, 1998. The first article of the Constitution states: "The Nakhchivan Autonomous State is a democratic, legal, secular autonomous republic within the Republic of Azerbaijan... The territory of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is unified, inviolable and indivisible within the state borders of the Republic of Azerbaijan." Evaluating the historical significance of Nakhchivan's acquisition of autonomy status and the role of international agreements in this field, the Great Leader said: "Nakhchivan's autonomy was a historical event. It was the result of a great struggle in a difficult time. In order to preserve the status of Nakhchivan, especially the Moscow Treaty and the Kars Treaty are of great importance here. "As Nakhchivan is separated from the main land of Azerbaijan, the Kars Agreement is a great and priceless document for us to ensure the integrity, security, statehood, and autonomy of Nakhchivan in the future."

During the time when the national leader, powerful statesman Heydar Aliyev was in charge of Azerbaijan, the decrees regarding the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, his historical visits to this country, the measures he took for territorial integrity and security, the legal strengthening of the status of autonomy and the implementation of other issues that need to be resolved are the basis for the comprehensive development of the autonomous republic. created and provided.

The political course defined by the prominent statesman Heydar Aliyev is successfully implemented by the President of the country Mr. Ilham Aliyev. The Great Leader wanted to see the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic as a developed country. In this regard, President Mr. Ilham Aliyev said: "Great Leader Heydar Aliyev always treated Nakhchivan with great attention, gave appropriate instructions for solving problems and showed great care. I also continue this policy..."

The important steps taken by the head of state in the past period to ensure defense, energy and food security of the autonomous republic laid the groundwork for the comprehensive development of the ancient land. As a result of the implemented construction measures, all residential areas of Nakhchivan were beautified, highways were rebuilt, the territory of the autonomous republic was completely gasified, the use of renewable energy sources increased the share of green energy use. As a result of the complex work done, Nakhchivan has turned from an energy-importing region to an energy-exporting country.

Comprehensive development of Nakhchivan has brought this land to the level of one of the most developed regions of our country. It is no coincidence that the autonomous republic rose to the level of the leading region in 18 parameters among the regions of Azerbaijan in 2017 and 2018.

The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, has repeatedly stated that he is satisfied with the work done here during his visits to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic: "...Indeed, Nakhchivan has gone through a great development path in recent years. The improvement and beautification of the city of Nakhchivan, implementation of infrastructure projects, improvement of all cities and villages show that the autonomous republic is standing firmly. I believe that today is the period of prosperity of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Because work is going on successfully in all directions and there are great results."

Since the end of last year, important steps have been taken regarding the creation of a new management system in the autonomous republic. Thus, by the Decree of the head of state dated December 22, 2022, the authorized representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan was appointed in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. With the creation of the representative institution, the establishment of the working principle in accordance with the requirements of the new era in all fields, the implementation of the necessary measures for the further development of the autonomous republic were identified as important directions. In the 99th year of its autonomy, Nakhchivan, which has entered a new stage of development, will continue to be faithful to the ideas of Great Leader Heydar Aliyev and confidently step towards the future.