; Whereas Bulgaria is increasing its defense expenditures and expenditures on equipment in keeping with the 2014 Wales Pledge, including by purchasing F–16s to reduce reliance on Russian and old Soviet equipment and better integrate with NATO forces; Whereas Bulgaria initiated a historic strengthening of military relations by inviting the United States Armed Forces to begin conducting joint exercises with its forces in Bulgaria, the first voluntary defense cooperation agreement with foreign troops throughout Bulgarian history, including the 1,300 years before its declaration of independence; and Whereas Bulgaria stood firmly by the United States in the cause of advancing freedom worldwide during its tenure as a nonpermanent member of the United Nations Security Council: Now, therefore, be it