YEREVAN. – Armenia cannot have compulsory military service for women. It is voluntary and takes place under certain conditions, head of the commission on defense, national security and internal affairs at the parliament Hrayr Karapetyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

“I am not against the increase of number of women serving in the army. I am against for the serving to be compulsory. We do not have the Israeli compulsory system for women. But we cannot relate the negative situation of the army to the absence of women,” he said.

In the discussion, where representatives of Armenian MOD, Military Prosecutor’s Office, human rights defenders, and lawyers were present, it was offered to increase the number of contract-based servicemen.

Karapetyan approved the initiative and added that different options can be discussed. The commission will prepare proposals when the discussions are over.