This is a serious 'injustice': My father did not allow it, says Aliyev

Nakhichevan is a "historical territory of Azerbaijan" that has been disconnected from the main part of Azerbaijan for over a century and lacks a land connection due to the Soviet regime’s decision to separate “Western Zangezur” from Azerbaijan and transfer it to Armenia. This was stated by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Turkey.

According to him, this represents a serious “injustice.”

During the first Nagorno-Karabakh war, Armenia had blockaded Nakhichevan. The Armenians wanted to “occupy” Nakhichevan, “as they did in the case of Karabakh.” My father, Heydar Aliyev, who was then the leader of Nakhichevan, did not allow it. One of the reasons for not seizing Nakhichevan was the construction of the Bridge of Hope between Nakhichevan and Turkey. Turkey’s assistance has made a significant contribution to the security of Nakhichevan,” said Aliyev.

Nakhichevan was part of the First Republic of Armenia. However, on March 16, 1921, Soviet Russia and Turkey signed a treaty in Moscow, according to which Nakhichevan was handed over to Soviet Azerbaijan. Today, Nakhichevan is depopulated and annexed to the Republic of Azerbaijan.