President of PDM, Vlad Plahotniuc, declared during today's press briefing that military service will no longer be compulsory for young people. Therefore, PDM wishes to transform the Army of Republic of Moldova into a professional one. The complex process will begin this autumn, while all recruits will be replaced by soldiers. 

"During this week's sitting of PDM we spoke on a few important topics. First I wish to mention the situation in the army, namely the compulsory military service. Last year, PDM requested the Government to make a survey on this subject and come up with an action plan, to eliminate compulsory military service and transform our national army into a professional one.

I made such a requested after some signs, such as: the conditions our army can offer at the moment, the recruited young people, the insufficient conditions for professional training and decent living conditions, during the military service. The way some pay big amount of money to avoid the military service, in the end being enrolled only those who lack the financial means, which is very grave and something we must eliminate for our society.

Multiple ministries, agents and experts in the field joined forces to elaborate this study, under the coordination of the Prime Minister. It confirmed our fears and therefore: a reform in this field will immediately be launched and any cancellation of the reform will harm the capability of our army. Therefore, we decided today, to forsake the compulsory military service. This process will take place in stages, for two years, the number of young people and recruits lowering to the points where compulsory military service will be completely eliminated.

Defense Ministry will soon launch this complex project, while the first cuts will take place in autumn, the recruits being replaced with soldiers, employed based on a contract, who will be equipped by international standards" Vlad Plahotniuc declared.

It must be mentioned that in Republic of Moldova, young people pay big amount of money to avoid being enrolled in the military service.