Georgia’s new defence code “positively” evaluated by diplomatic missions
The Georgian Defence Ministry officials on Thursday briefed foreign missions about the country’s new defence code. Photo: Defence Ministry press office
Tweet 
Share
The Georgian Ministry of Defence on Thursday said foreign diplomatic missions in the country had “positively” evaluated the country’s new defence code that introduces systemic changes to the Georgian Defence Forces and the compulsory military service.
The body said its officials on Thursday briefed the foreign diplomats accredited in the country over the regulations that have been submitted to the Parliament for approval.
The new document designates the Ministry as the only body ensuring compulsory military service from 2025, in a departure from the previous arrangement when different state structures ensured its fulfilment, in addition to introducing other changes.
Describing the code as “another important step for the strengthening of the Georgian army and its institutional development”, the Ministry officials told the diplomats it had considered “best practices of the world's leading countries”, as well as Georgia’s security and defence goals, while drafting the document.
The body also highlighted the new code created a “solid foundation for the military reserve system,” which it said was “important” for strengthening the country’s defence capabilities.
It noted the representatives of the diplomatic corps, NATO representation and international organisations had welcomed the initiative as “significant” for the latter goal.
The Ministry proposed the code late last year, with the Parliament scheduled to discuss and approve it before the closing of its spring session.
Georgia’s total defence strategy and deterrence policy are aimed at “maximum strengthening” of the country’s self-defence capabilities based on “existing needs and absence of international security umbrellas”, Deputy Defence Minister Grigol Giorgadze told the Georgian Public Broadcaster on Tuesday.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Thursday laid the symbolic foundation for the ₾40 million ($15 mln) project of building a military lyceum in the Krtsanisi district of capital Tbilisi to serve the eastern section of the country’s defence structure, the Government press office said.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Monday announced “major changes” to the country’s defence system as part of the new defence code, which includes full transition of the compulsory military service to the Ministry of Defence mandate, requirement for the state to provide accommodation for servicemembers and their families, a “more flexible” military reserve system for students and moves to prevent evasion of service.
Georgian prime minister Irakli Garibashvili on Friday discussed the country’s new defence code with defence minister Juansher Burchuladze and other officials of the body, with the document involving a modernising of the conscript and reserve systems and further steps to ensure better social conditions for servicemembers.
Georgian Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze discussed issues of European and Euro-Atlantic integration and strategic challenges at the Schuman Security and Defence Forum in Brussels on Tuesday.
Georgia’s Deputy Interior Minister Aleksandre Darakhvelidze on Wednesday highlighted the significance of projects supported by the Council of Europe with the aim of contributing to human rights-oriented policing in the country.