The government has introduced a legislative initiative under which citizens admitted to one of the world’s top 50 universities and granted a deferment from military service may, after completing their studies and working in a government-designated field in Armenia, be exempted from mandatory military service, Auroranews.am reports.

The draft law was presented by Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan within the framework of amendments to the Law “On Military Service and the Status of a Serviceman.” It was discussed at the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Science, Education and Culture for adoption in the second reading.

“The draft concerns enabling our citizens who receive deferment and pursue their education at reputable foreign universities to return after completing the relevant degree and work for at least three years in the designated field, in accordance with procedures defined by the Government. After that, they may, in essence, be exempted from military service,” Andreasyan said.

It was noted that no changes were made to the content of the bill between the first and second readings.

The committee issued a positive opinion, and the draft will be considered in the second reading at a plenary session of the National Assembly.