The Parliament has finished its two-day consideration of the Draft Defense Code with the I reading initiated by the Government.
As reported by the Deputy Defense Minister, Grigol Giorgadze, the Draft aims at the improvement of the management of the defense forces and development of the uniform codified legal act in the defense sphere. The reporter introduced the key reforms and new approaches of the system envisaged under the package. The Draft re-regulates the issues related to the arrangement and activity of the Defense Ministry and the military service. The Deputy Minister notes that the Code is oriented to the new rules of military services adjusted to defense objectives and improvement of the social guarantees of the personnel of the Defense Ministry.
Pursuant to the changes, the conscripts will have the ability to serve in the national army only in the defense system. The Draft plans to reduce the national military service for conscripts to 6-11 months for various units, senior commanders and pre-determined majors. The conscription shall be ensured providing the priorities of the Ministry. The Draft, developed on the basis of the Finnish and Baltic model, allows the single-time postponement of military service and provides alternative ways to serve. The novelty in the package implies the opportunity for students to apply for national military service.
The Draft is submitted along with the accompanying Bills and is under consideration for 2 days in Parliament, where MPs express their remarks and make recommendations.
