The average monthly salary of army officers will increase to GEL 1,000 as part of a package of benefits aimed at attracting qualified professionals to the military service, President Saakashvili said on July 23.

Knowledge of a foreign language, he told a group of officers at the newly renovated Defense Ministry building, would mean an extra GEL 100-150 per month for officers.

The financial package follows an earlier government initiative. In February an Act on Special Benefits for Army Officers was unveiled. This involved state scholarships for students willing to continue their careers in the country’s armed forces; a one-time financial allowance for those who have already graduated from university; free housing after completing contracted military service. In addition, the Act offers officers access to long-term, low interest loans from the Bank of Georgia.

Saakashvili said that the approach towards the training of officers was also changing. “Weapon will not help if a commander doesn’t belong to a free society,” he told the officers. “You should be intellectually strong.”

He said the creation of “a modern and efficient armed forces” was his top priority.

“We are buying the best weapons for you and we will continue the modernization of our armed forces,” he said. “Georgia has a serious defense budget.”

In June, defense spending soared by GEL 442 million (USD 263 million), bringing the 2007 defense budget to GEL 955.3 million (USD 568.6 million). The amended defense budget is up to 6% of the country’s GDP.