Start date of first phase of servicemen’s demobilization announced in Turkey

Azerbaijan, Baku, October 22 /Trend, R.Hafizoglu/ The first stage of servicemen's demobilization will begin in Turkey on January 1, 2014, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said today, Anadolu agency reported. According to him, the number of demobilized servicemen will hit 70,000. It was earlier reported that some 70,000 servicemen will be demobilised at the first stage in connection with the adoption of a new law on reducing the military service period in Turkey. According to the agency, the servicemen will be demobilised after the issuing of the relevant decree of the country's General Staff. Earlier, the General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces announced about an agreement with the government concerning the reduction of the compulsory military service period from 15 months to one year. According to the statement of the General Staff, the compulsory military service period for those who entered universities will be six months. Earlier, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke about the government's plans to reduce the military service period up to 12 months. Do you have any feedback? Contact our journalist at agency@trend.az