TBILISI. Oct 2 (Interfax-AVN) - The Georgian army could be cut to 12,000 servicemen by 2015, chief of the army commander-in- chief's main military inspectorate Givi Iukiridze said on Thursday.
"In accordance with recommendations of partner countries and the state's economic capabilities, the strength of the Georgian Armed Forces may be reduced to 12,000 servicemen by 2015," Iukiridze told Interfax-Military News Agency.
"The reduction of the military personnel is one of the principal goals of the reforms that are currently taking place in the Georgian army. As a result, the armed forces will be cut to a level acceptable for the country," Iukiridze said.
There are three possible deadlines for this process set at 2005, 2010 and 2015, he noted.
"The most likely deadline is 2015, but according to the plan, the army strength is to be brought down to 14,000-15,000 personnel already next year. In the future, it may further decline to 12,000 people," Iukiridze said.
At the same time, "army reduction should have a limit," he went on. "A decline in the number of servicemen below 14,000 may affect the country's security," he said.
Officially, the current strength of the Georgian armed forces is 20,000 servicemen.