Armenia’s initiative foreign policy was a key event of 2009 that enabled such a small republic to speak with world powers as equals, as well as underline role of no small part in the international organizations, put it otherwise “setting itself on the world map,” Executive Director of the International Center for Human Development (ICHD) Tevan Poghosyan told NEWS.am.

According to him, Armenia’s current policy in Armenia-Turkey relations enabled republic to increase international image and zeal in international organizations such as CSTO. “Armenia’s initiative in CSTO turned this de facto formal organization into serious structure through formation of mobile armed forces,” the expert stated. As to major event in domestic political situation, Poghosyan considers the fact that authorities managed to establish dialogue with society in almost all issues.

Forecasting the coming year developments, Poghosyan supposes that no breakthrough is expected in Karabakh issue, in particular accounting for the near replacement of Russian and French OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and Azerbaijan’s uncompromising stance.

As to Armenia-Turkey reconciliation, the expert underlined that positive momentum, namely ratification of the Protocols might be registered in winter end-spring beginning. According to him, Turkey will do so under the pressure of international community. “If Turkey adjourns the decision till April 23, ratification will be valueless in the eyes of international community. Thus, it will possibly impose &‘sanctions’ against Ankara, that is intensification of the Genocide international recognition,” Poghosyan said.

The coming year will be quiet from political, yet difficult from economical viewpoint. Poghosyan also outlined the significance of progress in Armenia’s integration into Europe in 2010.

A.G.