SOFIA, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Bulgaria would join the recently launched NATO Mission Iraq (NMI), according to a decision taken by the government here on Wednesday.

According to the government's decision, Bulgaria would participate with up to four servicemen of the Armed Forces with their personal weapons and equipment, a cabinet statement said.

"The inclusion of Bulgaria in the NMI is a practical expression of our contribution to the NATO's efforts in the fight against terrorism and in the preparation and capacity building of Iraqi security forces and institutions," the statement said.

The NMI was launched at the NATO summit in Brussels this July as a non-combat mission aimed at training and capacity building in Iraq, it said.

It would be tasked to advise officials in the Ministry of Defense and the Office of the National Security Advisor, and train instructors in military schools and academies to help Iraq develop its capacity to build more effective national security structures and professional military education institutions, the statement added.

Bulgaria has been a NATO member since 2004. In Iraq, the Balkan country participated in the U.S.-led Operation Iraqi Freedom, and NATO Training Mission-Iraq (NTM-I).