Bulgarian military service reduced

The Bulgarian parliament has voted to reduce the length of compulsory military service by three months.

The new law, which comes into effect in October, requires all men at the age of eighteen to serve nine months, except those with a university degree, who will serve six months.

The move is part of a programme of military reform to comply with standards in NATO, which Bulgaria hopes to join. Last year, Bulgaria introduced an alternative military service programme for conscientous objectors -- allowing them to serve in non-combat army units, or to join the community service.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service