02-02-2012 12:04:55

MPs review history, offer to rename Azerbaijan

A number of Azerbaijani lawmakers offered to change the name of the country at a parliamentary session on Wednesday.

The Azerbaijani public has recently made a proposal to rename the Azerbaijan Republic into North Azerbaijan, said deputy executive secretary of the ruling Yeni (New) Azerbaijan Party (YAP), Siyavush Novruzov.

“There are such examples in the world as North and South Korea, northern and southern Cyprus. It would be appropriate if Azerbaijan, as a split country, would be called Northern Azerbaijan instead,” Novruzov said.

MP Gudrat Hasanguliyev, chairman of the pro-opposition United Azerbaijan Popular Front Party, said two-thirds of Azerbaijani territory is part of present-day Iran. "So, there is every reason to rename our country into North Azerbaijan,” Hasanguliyev said.

Since the Gulustan and Turkmenchay treaties were passed against the will of the Azerbaijani people, they must be revoked, Hasanguliyev said, referring to the two agreements signed in the first half of 19th century, which led to the division of Azerbaijan between Iran and the Russian Empire.

Chairman of pro-government Ana Vatan party, Fazayil Aghamali, said that though there were times in the history of Azerbaijan when it had integrity, this has not been reflected in legal documents.

“If another referendum is held, addenda should be made to Article 11 of the Constitution stipulating that Azerbaijan consists of North, South and West Azerbaijan,” Aghamali said.

TAGS: Azerbaijani lawmakers, Yeni Azerbaijan Party, Siyavush Novruzov, Gudrat Hasanguliyev, Fazayil Aghamali