“In 2009 we lost credit as March 1 matter is still open. We lost credibility both in Armenia and Diaspora,” Director of the Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) Richard Giragosian told NEWS.am, summing up the 2009 results.

“The fact that Armenia bought time to solve its domestic problems might be considered an achievement. We got stronger from the military security viewpoint as the most sufficient work was conducted by Defense Ministry. The military sector was considerably reformed, new buildings were constructed,” Giragosian underlined. The expert considers 2010 an interesting year from Armenia-Turkey relations point of view. It will be clear what price should be paid by each side in the process. “In 2009 it was still vague what price Armenia and Turkey paid for the relations’ improvement. Karabakh and Genocide issue might become a cost both for Armenia and Turkey,” the expert said.

As to 2010 forecast, Giragosian stated that "we would be one step closer to securing of Karabakh future, as Azerbaijan is becoming weaker. The negative development is that 2010 will be a year of economic instability, as the deficit of labor and economic opportunities will be registered.

A.G.