2009 was a year known for the tension in Turkish-Armenian relations," ethnographer Hranush Kharatyan told "A1+".
"I don't think it was successful for Armenia, but what's more unsuccessful is the atmosphere created after the signing of the Protocols. After the Protocols were signed in Zurich, Turkey went from being the object to the subject of politics in the general context of relations with Armenia," Kharatyan told "A1+".
According to Kharatyan, even if the relations don't turn into a reality, Turkey is actively normalizing relations, can revise its attitude toward Turkish-Armenian relations, particularly Turkey's needs.
"Even if diplomatic relations are established, Turkey must not have obligations and can actively set its conditions because the World Trade Organization has voted in favor of Turkey under the condition that those conditions don't apply to the organization," says Hranush Kharatyan.
According to her, the ratification of the Protocols will be delayed for a rather long time and until that, there is not even a sign of establishment of friendly relations.
Hranush Kharatyan also touched upon the internal political issues and said that the real opposition that was created last year did not justify itself. "We can sum up that the opposition lost in the relations between the government and the opposition in terms of ideology and political perspectives. In addition, the people lost the amount of confidence that it had."
The ethnographer also sees the skillful actions of the government, such as the postponement of release of political prisoners. "There is a lack of political resistance. I believe that the government has firmly settled down and I am even amazed to se that it is stronger than it says it is," said Kharatyan.
The ethnographer says that the government could have made more practical steps in the country's economy by taking advantage of the stable, but tense social state in the country. "The government only registered success in politics, but monopoly continues."
Kharatyan saw a lack of cultural values this past year, including the lack of culture of celebrations. According to her, Armenians only celebrate New Year's and a little constrained. "We have different holidays, but we don't celebrate. The greatest flaw in society is the lack of culture of celebrations," said Hranush Kharatyan in closing.