Bulgaria To Abolish Military Conscription By 2008

Sofia, Bulgaria (AHN) - Lawmakers on Thursday overwhelmingly voted to abolish military conscription and make the army a fully professional force by 2008. The move comes as part of reforms meant to streamline Bulgaria's armed forces and meet NATO standards.

Under the new law, all the previously conscripted soldiers would be relieved from duty on January 1, 2008, except some who could be offered professional contracts.

Currently, less than 70 percent of Bulgaria's armed forces are professionals, but the navy and the air force are almost fully professional.

Bulgaria's armed forces number about 34,000 on active duty and 11,000 reservists.

Former Eastern Bloc state Bulgaria joined NATO in 2004, and aims to join the European Union next year.

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