BUCHAREST, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Moldova will soon abolish its compulsory military service, and the army will now be composed of soldiers employed by contract, the chairman of the main ruling Democratic Liberal Party, Vlad Plahotniuc, announced Tuesday.
"Last year, the Democratic Party asked the government for a comprehensive study on the matter and an action plan to eliminate compulsory military service and transform our army into a professional one," the famous magnate was quoted as saying by official Moldpres.
Plahotniuc's remark was immediately echoed by the defense ministry which issued a communique announcing that the number of recruits enrolled in compulsory military service would be reduced starting as early as this autumn.
According to Plahotniuc, the military service reform will done over a period of two years. The number of young people recruited for the army will decrease until all the recruits in the army are replaced by soldiers.
"Following the reform, thousands of young people will be relieved of the burden of compulsory recruitment," said the main ruling party's leader. He also stressed that the move would eliminate the fact that "some young people pay large amounts of money to escape military service, as those enrolled are only those who lack financial means".
Under the current legislation, citizens of Moldova aged between 18 and 27 years who are not ill or in education are enrolled in military service for a one-year term.
