Today marks the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

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

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.

At a time when Armenia's claims to Nakhchivan were increasing - on July 7, 1918, the Turkish army led by Kazim Garabekir 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 Armenian occupation. Military forces consisting of 20 battalions and 500 cavalry regiments were created in a short time. 

In addition to the forces of the Araz-Turkish Republic, Jafargulu Khan, Rahim Khan, Kalbali Khan III, Karim Khan, Bahram Khan and local intellectuals have made great contributions to the defense of Nakhchivan.

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

In April 1920, the Bolshevik government was established in Azerbaijan. Soviet power is announced in Nakhchivan on July 28 and the Military Revolutionary Committee is established.

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 confirms the issue of Nakhchivan's territorial affiliation and definitively defines 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 had no borders 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 is 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, our national leader Heydar Aliyev brought up the Moscow and Kars agreements again. By directing the attention of the world community to the aggressive policy of Armenia, and giving a second life to the autonomy status of Nakhchivan, the genius leader achieves the first and biggest international political defeat of Armenia.

The Constitution of the independent Republic of Azerbaijan adopted on November 12, 1995 plays 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 is being 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. Since Nakhchivan is separated from the main land of Azerbaijan, the Kars Agreement is a very important and priceless document for us to ensure the integrity, security, statehood, and autonomy of Nakhchivan in the future."

Great leader Heydar Aliyev's measures to protect the autonomous status of Nakhchivan and celebrate the anniversaries of the autonomous republic were an expression of the great leader's concern for this ancient homeland, and the wide celebration of the 80th, 85th, 90th and 95th anniversaries of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in our country is a clear example of this. 

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 to ensure defense, energy and food security of the autonomous republic laid the foundation for the comprehensive development of the ancient land. As a result of the implemented construction measures, all residential areas of Nakhchivan have been improved, highways have been reconstructed, the territory of the autonomous republic has been completely gasified, the use of renewable energy sources has increased the share of green energy use. As a result of the complex works done, Nakhchivan has turned from an energy-importing region to an energy-exporting country. 

President Ilham Aliyev visited the autonomous republic 15 times during his presidency. During this period, the head of state signed various decrees and state programs on accelerating the socio-economic development of our ancient land. The Decree of the head of the country "On the State Program for the Social-Economic Development of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic for 2023-2027" and "On the Celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic" dated December 30, 2023, in the rich statehood history of the ancient land of Nakhchivan, our country is an indication that it occupies an important place in its development.