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March 29, 2004
   
Bulgarias military issued a report that stated the Bulgarian military is ready to join NATO. Bulgaria argued that its forces are now capable of fulfilling NATO duties even with current equipment. The Bulgarians acknowledged that they must still modernize their forces to meet NATO equipment standards, but the military budget will remain at 2.6 percent of GDP for the next several years an indication that Bulgaria will modernize equipment over time. A Bulgarian military spokesman also said the government is committed to maintaining funds for missions abroad. Bulgaria has said that it would provide troops for NATO peacekeeping operations.