Sweden's left-leaning defense minister said the country wants to reintroduce military conscription for both men and women, seven years after the policy was scrapped, citing regional tensions.

Axar.az reports that, Peter Hultqvist told Swedish broadcaster SVT Sweden wants to have conscripts, volunteers and professionals, the Associated Press reported.

He said Thursday approximately 4,000 18-year-olds of both sexes would be called up each year. The first conscripts would start Jan. 1, 2018.

In 2010, Sweden abolished compulsory military service for men. The average term of service was around 11 months.

A decision is to be made later Thursday.