On 29 October, the Government approved the draft laws “On Amending and Supplementing the Law on Military Service and the Status of a Serviceman”, “On Supplementing and Amending the Law on Service in the Police”, and “On Amending and Supplementing the Law on Rescue Service”.

The proposed legislative amendments seek to combine high-quality education with entry into public service, attract personnel of a new professional standard to the Police and the Rescue Service, support their professional development, and ensure career progression with competitive remuneration.

According to the explanatory note, a predictable pathway underpinned by robust legal guarantees is envisaged for young citizens to obtain quality professional education, acquire professional training and, on that basis, begin and continue their service within the internal affairs system.

State-funded education will serve not only as an educational service, but also as a preparatory stage for subsequent entry into professional service and the development of a career within the system.

At the same time, a clear, phased and predictable framework for the professional development and career progression of personnel is being introduced.

Individuals who have completed a secondary vocational education programme will be appointed to positions in the middle category in the Police or the Rescue Service, subject to the requirement that they serve continuously for 10 years within the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia or its subordinate state bodies.

Of particular importance, this pathway enables individuals who have entered service on the basis of secondary vocational education to progress to higher levels in their service careers, provided they meet the conditions prescribed by law.

Furthermore, individuals who have fulfilled all their obligations to the State during their studies and the period of continuous service will be deemed to have fulfilled their obligation to undertake compulsory fixed-term military service through their long-term service to the State and society in this alternative form.

As a result of the adoption of the package of draft laws, the following outcomes are expected, in particular:

Increased attractiveness: The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia’s educational institution, as well as service in the Police and the Rescue Service, will become significantly more attractive to school graduates and young people.