Georgia, Tbilisi, Jan.7 / Trend, N.Kirtskhalia /
Georgia will gradually switch over to a professional army abandoning the rules of compulsory military conscription, Georgian Defence Minister Irakli Alasania told media outlets.
"We plan a transition to a professional army fully within four years. Gradually the conscription period will be reduced from the current 15 months to 12 months when we will completely switch over to a contract service," Alasania said.
"No one should be taken to the army by force," he said and added that only people with a professional education should serve in the Armed Forces.
At present a mixed system of military service functions in Georgia covering both contract service and a system of compulsory military conscription.
Last time the period of compulsory military service was changed was in February 2012 when the term was increased from 12 to 15 months.
Some 37,000 people serve in the Georgian army.