Angela Merkel: the rules of the game have changed since 2005.

The nine group winners and best runner-up qualify automatically. The eight remaining second-place teams play-off to decide the final four qualifiers. Ties take place between September 2010 and November 2011.

The RA law on social protection of disabled people ensures equal rights for all Armenian citizens. According to the law, any person, no matter whether he/she has physical or mental problems, is entitled to receive special education of all levels (from secondary to higher). Actually, inclusive education is available in a small number of schools and doesn’t often meet required standards.

Because of overdollarized Armenian economy, control over inflation is one of the main challenges Armenian government faces, Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Bank Armenia, Astrid Clifford stated. Inflation in Armenia remains high: price increase is observed in consumer market, caused by the impending price rise for energy carrier tariffs (gas price increase is expected on April 1); summer will see water price increase. Local forecasts are also unfavorable.

The week began with the Armenian President’s official visit to Syria. On March 22, on the invitation of his Syrian counterpart, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan arrived in Syria with his wife Rita Sargsyan in the frames of a three-day official visit.

Latest developments in the Armenian-Turkish relations, or rather in the relations of Turkey-world community were not so much unexpected as, to put it mildly, bewildering. Turkish President Abdullah Gul won this year’s prestigious Chatham House prize, and Woodrow Wilson Award was granted to Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. However, her drop of poison added German Chancellor Angela Merkel, declaring that Turkey could be offered only a “privileged partnership”. But there was nothing new in this statement: as long as France and Germany work together Turkey’s entry into the EU is booked.