Irakli Alasania wants to improve conditions for Georgia's soldiers in Afghanistan. (Interpressnews.)

TBILISI, DFWatch — Georgia’s Defense Ministry plans to improve conditions for Georgian soldiers serving in NATO’s ISAF mission to Afghanistan.

Defense Minister Irakli Alasania on Friday stated that the salary will be increased for Georgian soldiers in Afghanistan from 2013. They will also get improved social conditions.

While visiting the Vaziani military base, the minister said that the soldiers will get a new insurance package.

“On the orders of the Prime Minister, salary will increase for our soldiers. This is only the beginning to create normal social and living conditions for our military servicemen [and -women],” he said. “They should be well-armed and have the equipment to be able to defend own country.”

The minister said the country faces many challenges, but defending peace and defending the country is the most important one.

“Our country needs living heroes, who will provide defense and security of our country.”

708 recruits were sworn in on Friday. The minister attended a military exercise and congratulated the recruits.