On June 28 the National Assembly abolished obligatory military service in Bulgaria starting January 1 2008.

After December 31 2007 all men still serving their military service term would be discharged, 24 Chassa newspaper reported.

The changes are part of the Cabinet's army modernisation strategy in view of Bulgaria's EU accession and NATO membership. According to plans, the professionalisation of the army was to be completed by 2010, but the parliament approved an earlier deadline.

The professionalisation of the army would cost nearly 30 million leva, 24 Chassa said.

To attract more recruits to the new professional army, the parliament also approved an increase in the military wages. At present, the average salary is 370 leva a month. The exact amount has yet to be negotiated, 24 Chassa said.

Deputy Defence Minister Sonya Yankoulova said that since some self-defence and military training was necessary for both sexes, trainings might be introduced in high school programmes. The Cabinet would use the experience of other countries with similar programmes, she added.