Kars Treaty vital for Turkey and Azerbaijan, settling border disputes and confirming Nakhchivan
Summary: The Kars Treaty, signed 103 years ago, holds great importance for Turkey and Azerbaijan. It settled border disputes, securing Turkey’s northeast borders and Nakhchivan’s place in Azerbaijan. Political scientist Elhan Şahinoğlu emphasized its historical significance, noting its recognition of existing borders amid post-WWI changes. MP Hikmet Babaoğlu highlighted the treaty’s role in confirming Nakhchivan as part of Azerbaijan. Despite challenges from Armenia, the treaty solidified the enduring alliance between Turkey and Azerbaijan, shaping their relations today.
As the Kars Treaty marks its 103rd anniversary, its significance remains deeply rooted in the geopolitical history of Turkey and Azerbaijan. Signed on October 13, 1921, between the newly established Republic of Turkey and the Transcaucasian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (ZSFSR), the treaty addressed key territorial disputes, solidifying Turkey’s northeastern borders and securing Nakhchivan’s place within Azerbaijan.
The agreement, which built upon the earlier Moscow Treaty, resolved longstanding border issues and helped define the political landscape of the South Caucasus. Turkey successfully maintained its territorial integrity, and Azerbaijan secured Nakhchivan, a region that has since held strategic importance.
In an interview with **Sitat.info**, political scientist Elhan Şahinoğlu explained the historical context: “After World War I, the collapse of three empires—Russia, the Ottoman Empire, and Austria-Hungary—reshaped the world. The Kars Treaty was signed in this transformative period, with Turkey and Bolshevik Russia mutually recognizing each other’s borders. It was a pragmatic decision reflecting the geopolitical realities of the time.”
Şahinoğlu emphasized that while the international situation has changed, including developments such as the Russia-Ukraine war and Azerbaijan’s recent territorial gains, the Kars Treaty remains a valid and binding document. “No one can challenge the borders of the Republic of Turkey,” he added.
MP Hikmet Babaoğlu, also speaking to **Sitat.info**, highlighted the treaty’s critical role in securing Nakhchivan’s status within Azerbaijan. He noted that Article 5 of the Kars Treaty explicitly recognizes Nakhchivan as part of Azerbaijan, with the agreement supported by Turkey, Russia, and Georgia. Babaoğlu praised the diplomatic efforts of Turkish military leader Kazım Karabekir Pasha and Azerbaijani diplomat Behbud Agha Shakhtinsky for ensuring Nakhchivan’s future within Azerbaijani borders despite Armenian attempts to claim the territory.
“The Armenians were pleased to have their statehood acknowledged in an international document but were frustrated by Russia’s stance on Nakhchivan. Despite Armenian radicals pushing for its inclusion in Armenia, their efforts were unsuccessful,” Babaoğlu explained.
The Kars Treaty, he argued, laid the foundation for the long-standing alliance between Turkey and Azerbaijan. “The treaty not only solidified Nakhchivan’s status but also symbolized the enduring bond between Turkey and Azerbaijan—one nation, two states—which continues to shape their relations today.”
As Turkey and Azerbaijan reflect on the 103-year history of the Kars Treaty, its legacy underscores the diplomatic and geopolitical achievements that continue to influence the region.
