Armenia’s constitutionally enshrined territorial claims against Azerbaijan have often been overlooked and overshadowed by binary discussions around territorial integrity versus self-determination. However, as the two countries move closer to signing a peace treaty, these claims embedded in Armenia’s constitutional-legal framework are emerging as a major impediment to further progress in the negotiations. This report analyzes the legal and political foundations of Armenia’s territorial claims against Azerbaijan, explores how these claims have shaped Armenia’s policies and discourse towards Azerbaijan both before and after the 2020 war, and proposes strategies for addressing these constitutional constraints. The paper highlights the necessity of rescinding the 1989 “miatsum” declaration and advocates for practical policy-oriented solutions that would mitigate Azerbaijan’s concerns over unambiguous and unconditional recognition of its territorial integrity, enable Armenia to reclaim its constitution as a domestic matter, and facilitate a constructive resolution to the longstanding conflict.

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