YEREVAN, Armenia - Armenia’s draft constitution is being prepared without the current preamble’s reference to the Declaration of Independence, a provision Azerbaijan says contains a territorial claim, according to an Armenian media report.
The newspaper Zhoghovurd, citing discussions within Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s ruling Civil Contract party, reported that the draft could be presented to the public as early as next week. The text has not been published, and the reported removal remains unconfirmed information about a working draft.
Work on several provisions is continuing. One disputed issue inside the governing team is whether Armenia should introduce jury trials, the newspaper reported.
Most of the Draft Has Been Discussed
Justice Minister Srbuhi Galyan previously said more than 95% of the text had been discussed with the Constitutional Reform Council. Publication is planned for November, after which public consultations are expected. A final constitutional change would require approval in a referendum.
Pashinyan has also linked work on a new constitution to the prospect of signing and ratifying a peace agreement with Azerbaijan.
Armenia’s current constitution refers in its preamble to the Declaration of Independence. Azerbaijan says the declaration’s reference to unification of the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region with Armenia creates a legal conflict and has demanded that it be removed before a final peace treaty is signed.
Until the official draft is released, the reported exclusion of the reference cannot be treated as a final decision.
Source: Vesti Baku.