TBILISI. June 17 (Interfax-AVN) - The Georgian budget has started funding the national armed forces by 100 percent, Defense Minister Georgy Baramidze said on Thursday.
This happens "for the first time in the history of independent Georgia," Baramidze told Interfax-Military News Agency. "The reason is the general growth in the Georgian economy and the improving situation in the sphere of combating corruption," he stressed.
"Additional funds to satisfy the army's needs will be obtained through reducing non-combat units," Baramidze noted.
"The army strength will be reduced to 15,000 personnel this year. Non-combat units only will be reduced, which will not affect combat readiness," he said.
According to the minister, "the attitude of the country's current leaders, primarily President Mikhail Saakashvili, is dramatically different from the policy of former authorities, which changes the public's attitude to the armed forces and helps boost their prestige."