Russian President calls for increased number of contract servicemenSeptember 27, 2011 - 15:33 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev urged on Tuesday, September 27, an increase in the number of contract servicemen in the country's armed forces. The Kremlin has vowed to ultimately scrap conscription and move to a largely professional army. Speaking at a meeting with military officials near the Urals city of Chelyabinsk, Medvedev warned however of the financial challenges the move would entail. "We can't attract contract servicemen without creating some elementary conditions for them," the president said, RIA Novosti reported. The Russian army plans to cut army manpower from 1.2 million to 1 million by 2016. More than half of Russians want compulsory military service for young men scrapped, according to the country's leading pollster, the Levada Center. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Iran’s Red Crescent sends aid to Armenia’s flood-hit regions The Iranian Red Crescent Society has sent humanitarian aid to the victims of deadly floods that hit northern Armenia on May 25-26. Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. Ruling MPs, Foreign Minister talk Armenia-Azerbaijan processes MOs from the ruling Civil Contract party met with the Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in the Armenian parliament. |