From the speech of Great Leader Heydar Aliyev at the opening ceremony of the Nakhchivan Olympic Sports Complex

15 June 2002

However, it is known that in the 20th century, when the Soviet power was established, when the borders of this region were determined, a part of Azerbaijan’s land was given to Armenia. Including Zangezur and Mehri district, which now separates Nakhchivan from most of Azerbaijan. This is a historical injustice. We remember it today with a heavy heart.