"It's Just an Idea Whose Details Can Change": Yeghoyan on Reducing Military Service Duration

The idea proposed by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to shorten the duration of mandatory military service is merely a concept aimed at initiating public discussion and can be altered, which in turn may change its overall content. This was stated by Arman Yeghoyan, a member of the 'My Step' faction in the National Assembly, during a parliamentary briefing.

He first urged that when any idea is presented, it should not be regarded as an established program. "Different ideas may be voiced. There are various types of armies in the world, each with different service durations, intensities, and intervals. When an idea is merely raised, please do not turn it into an established program that needs to be confirmed in the government tomorrow. It is just an idea, the details of which can change, potentially altering its overall content as well," said the MP, considering it still too early to discuss the matter.

According to him, the idea has also been raised to promote public discussion.

Recall that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, during his recent regional visit to Vayots Dzor, spoke about the desire to make military service more attractive during a meeting with citizens. He stated, "We need to completely change the mandatory military service system; we should consider significantly reducing the duration of compulsory military service. There are various ideas, and we will discuss them—for example, there is an idea to have a 3-month or 2-month service every five years, so that young people can master the minimum combat skills..."