BELGRADE, May 22 (Xinhua) -- The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) commenced a four-day civil exercise of protection and rescue in southern Croatia, news reaching here from the country said on Tuesday.

    The exercise, code named "Idassa 2007," is conducted in the southern Zadar region and involves about 1,200 participants from 44 countries, Croatia's official HINA news agency reported.

    The organizers said the aim of the exercise is to improve cooperation of between countries in cases of major accidents and disasters.

    Croatia is expected to join NATO in 2008.

    Serbia's official Tanjug news agency reported earlier that U.S. President George W. Bush will announce Croatia's entry into NATO when traveling to Europe in June.