EU to conduct its third crisis management exercise
Press release 119/2004
18 May 2004
The European Union will conduct its third crisis management exercise, CME 04, from 18 to 27 May. The previous EU crisis management exercises were organized in May 2002 and November 2003. The latter exercise was conducted in cooperation with NATO.
CME 04 focuses on how the EU manages crisis situations applying both civilian and military instruments. The context of the exercise is an EU-led independent crisis management operation without recourse to NATO assets.
The exercise tests and assesses EU crisis management structures, methods and communication arrangements. Its aim is to improve the EU's capability to handle crisis situations.
The exercise is based on a crisis scenario. The fictive background information of this scenario supports the decision-making process of the exercise. Based on the scenario a decision will be simulated. This decision will concern all military and civilian instruments. The primary responsibility of the UN security Council on international peace and security will be taken into account in the process.
CME04 will be conducted in Brussels and in capitals of EU member states. No troops will be deployed. The operational headquarters will be situated in Northwood affiliated with the British headquarters for crisis management troops. The exercise will involve the representatives of the member states in Brussels and the capitals, the relevant Council instances, the High Representative, the European Commission and the EU Satellite Centre.
Additional information: Timo Ranta, tel. 09 160 55660, Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Heli Siivola, tel. 09 160 88186, Ministry of Defence.