Brussels, 20/11/2003 (Agence Europe) - Javier Solana participated on 19 November in the launch of the first NATO and the European Union joint crisis management exercise, CME/CMX 03. He explained that ""Our relations are progressing not only in the political sphere but also in the practice of daily discussion and operational procedures. I am sure that all participants in this exercise will contribute to its success". It will last until 25 November. The exercise is different in so far as it is based on a crisis scenario that develops in a fictional country inspired from experience in the Balkans and looks at a potential conflict in a multiethnic country - a large island in the Atlantic - where troubles encouraged the UN Secretary General to ask if the EU would contribute to stabilising the country (see EUROPE 13 November p 4).