05 April 2013, 18:00
Georgia's Parliament to cut mandatory military service down to one year
The Parliament of Georgia has approved by a majority of votes in the third reading the amendments to the law "On Military Duty and Military Service". Now, the term of mandatory military service will be reduced down to 12 months.
In February 2012, the term of the mandatory military service was increased from 12 to 15 months. Earlier, in January 2011, the parliamentary amendment entered into force, prohibiting the objectors from service to become citizens of another country.
Under the amendments, which were supported by 85 MPs, with five against, conscripts will serve for 12 months. The amendments will also cover those who are already in the army, the "News-Georgia" reports.
The bill also provides for deferment of the military service for those who get registered, just after school, for taking United Nationwide Exams for entering higher education institutions, the "Georgia-Online" reports.