Tags: EU | Cyprus | Military | Service

Cyprus Cuts Compulsory Military Service by 10 Months

Thursday, 25 February 2016 01:02 PM EST

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Cyprus' government has reduced compulsory service in its mainly conscript military from 24 months to 14 months, fulfilling a campaign promise after years of deliberations and planning.

Cyprus Defense Minister Christoforos Fokaides announced the decision Thursday, adding that professional soldiers will be hired to make up the shortfall in the standing force's numbers, which will be created as soldiers are discharged earlier. Deputy government spokesman Viktoras Papadopoulos put the number of professionals to be hired at 3,000.

Ethnically divided Cyprus relies heavily on its reserves to bolster its small standing force that faces over 35,000 Turkish troops in the island's breakaway Turkish Cypriot north.

Cyprus was split in 1974 when Turkey invaded following a coup aiming at union with Greece.

© Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


Europe
Cyprus' government has reduced compulsory service in its mainly conscript military from 24 months to 14 months, fulfilling a campaign promise after years of deliberations and planning.Cyprus Defense Minister Christoforos Fokaides announced the decision Thursday, adding that...
EU,Cyprus,Military,Service
123
2016-02-25
Thursday, 25 February 2016 01:02 PM
Newsmax Media, Inc.

Sign up for Newsmax’s Daily Newsletter

Receive breaking news and original analysis - sent right to your inbox.

(Optional for Local News)
Privacy: We never share your email address.
Join the Newsmax Community
Read and Post Comments
Please review Community Guidelines before posting a comment.
 
 
TOP

Newsmax, Moneynews, Newsmax Health, and Independent. American. are registered trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. Newsmax TV, and Newsmax World are trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc.

NEWSMAX.COM
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
NEWSMAX.COM
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved