Azerbaijan Demands Constitutional Change for Peace Treaty
Azerbaijan requires Armenia to amend its constitution before finalizing a formal peace agreement.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Law
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Azerbaijan has stated that it will not sign a peace treaty with Armenia until the country amends its constitution. The current constitutional language includes references to the unification of Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia, which Baku views as a barrier to peace.
Why it matters
The dispute centers on claims that the existing Armenian constitution necessitates territorial expansion, complicating long-term regional stability. Azerbaijan insists these changes are a necessary precondition for ending the conflict.
Armenia plans to hold a national referendum in 2027 to adopt a new constitution. The current document remains the primary point of contention in peace treaty negotiations.
The players
Nikol Pashinyan
He is the Prime Minister of Armenia and has been leading the government's efforts to navigate the peace process with Azerbaijan.
Ararat Mirzoyan
He serves as the Foreign Minister of Armenia and oversees the nation's diplomatic negotiations regarding the border and peace treaties.
The details
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan confirmed that Armenia is working toward a new constitution that omits references to its previous declaration. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan clarified that Baku maintains this constitutional amendment as a firm precondition for treaty progress.
Timeline
March 2025: Prime Minister Pashinyan first announced plans for a 2027 referendum.
April 2025: Pashinyan specified the new constitution should omit certain declaration references.
October 21, 2026: Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan clarified the nature of the constitutional precondition.
2027: Armenia intends to hold a national referendum to adopt a new constitution.
Political Context
Opponents of the proposed changes express concern that removing references to the 1991 Declaration of Independence of Armenia undermines national history. Critics within the region argue that altering foundational documents under external pressure poses a risk to state sovereignty.
The requirement for a constitutional referendum delays the finalization of a lasting peace treaty between the two nations. This creates continued uncertainty for residents of the border region until a legal agreement is formally executed.
The takeaway
The path toward a peace treaty depends on reconciling constitutional frameworks with modern international boundary recognition. Observers suggest that the 2027 referendum will serve as a definitive turning point for regional diplomatic relations.
What happens next
Armenia is scheduled to hold a national referendum on the adoption of a new Constitution in 2027.
Further reading
For more information on the ongoing negotiations, visit the Law section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Nt.
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