( ForUm ) - It usually takes years, not months, to reform armed forces and create a professional army, President Viktor Yushchenko told reporters in Lisbon on Thursday, president's press office reported.
He said Ukraine's political parties and blocs should adhere to the National Defense Doctrine and the National Program for the Development of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which stipulates that the country will have a professional army in 2010.
"A contract warrior is an individual that requires a new armament technology, new education, new tactical knowledge," he said, describing plans to make such transformations faster by abolishing compulsory military service "not only incorrect but also offensive." "This is disregard for the interests of the military and the nation's security."